BEIJING -- A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday called on Taiwan authorities to adopt a positive and constructive attitude to Taiwanese people's political engagement on the mainland.

The comments were made in reply to questions on the island's mainland affairs authorities' intention to punish Taiwanese people serving in public institutions on the mainland as members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, government advisors and university teachers.

Proper political engagement for Taiwanese people living on the mainland will help mutual understanding between people on both sides of the Strait and facilitate the Taiwanese better protecting their rights and interests, said Yang Yi, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a regular press conference.

"We understand and respect such desire among them," Yang said.

The spokesmen also called on the island's authorities to approve a trip by Justin Yifu Lin, the World Bank's chief economist and senior vice president, to Taiwan.

Lin, who is regarded by Taiwanese authorities as a defected soldier to the mainland, has expressed his willingness to pay homage to his ancestors in Taiwan.

Lin's alleged defection happened decades ago in a special historical period with a very specific background, according to Yang.

"As cross-Strait relations have entered a new stage of peaceful development, we hope Taiwanese authorities handle this issue with humanitarian consideration," Yang said, noting that Lin's aspiration is just "a common desire out of human nature."

The mainland is also providing more facilities to ensure Taiwanese people on the mainland can access medical services, Yang added.