茶蛋風波 (cha dan feng bo): Storm in a tea egg

A professor in Taiwan claimed on a TV talk show that Chinese mainland residents cannot afford boiled tea eggs, which caused a public outcry with people using social media to mock the professor by displaying their "wealth" of tea eggs.

It is in fact beyond reproach that people mocked the arrogance and prejudice shown toward the mainland by the guest on the TV talk show, yet we should realize that opportunities for cross-Straits communication and further mutual understanding should be created at both the governmental and civil levels. In Taiwan, there are not only professors who think the Chinese mainland residents cannot afford tea eggs, but also ordinary people who appreciate the benefits brought by the economic development of the mainland.

The tea-egg incident and the campaign against the service trade pact are caused by misunderstandings. In this regard, the media should play a more positive and responsible role in reporting and program making because such misguided views can only be eliminated with the help of objective knowledge and rational communication.

Neither the mainland nor Taiwan is perfect. Both should respect the other's differences and learn from each other's advantages. Cross-Straits cooperation should not be hindered by misperceptions.