Zhang Han, a new spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, held her first news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang also serves as the director of the bureau responsible for Taiwan-related affairs in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

At her debut briefing, Zhang expressed her commitment to promoting the mainland's policies on Taiwan and fostering greater understanding and trust between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Since October, the office has increased the frequency of its news conferences from twice a month to once a week.

Other current spokespersons for the office include Chen Binhua, director of the information bureau; Zhu Fenglian, deputy director of the information bureau; and Peng Qing'en, director of the economic affairs bureau, who made his first appearance at a regular news conference on Oct 29.