The Chinese embassy in Cambodia issued an open letter to the Taiwan compatriots in that country on Saturday, saying that as Chinese citizens they could always approach it for help when needed.

This comes amid recent reports of some island residents being beaten up, even imprisoned because of their activities in Cambodia. Some were involved in telecommunications frauds, while others indulged in online gambling.

However, as nobody came to their aid, not even some Taiwan-based agencies that enjoy the backing of the island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, the island residents turned to the Chinese embassy for help.

The embassy helped the Taiwan compatriots in their hour of need. The Taiwan Straits does not stop compatriots on both sides of it from being one family, and when family members on either side need help, the embassy won't let them down.

By helping them, the embassy is warming the hearts of the Taiwan compatriots, especially those who support the island's reunification with the mainland.

The DPP and its leader Tsai Ingwen have always tried to dent the motherland's image by hyping up the "threat" from the Chinese mainland. But the gesture in Cambodia is proof that the mainland wants to help its compatriots.

We hope the embassy's goodwill gesture will be reciprocated with goodwill. Reports say that mainland residents helped an island compatriot and Instagram celebrity who suffered sexual harassment in Cambodia. But when she returned to the island she was found advocating "Taiwan independence". Such acts are unfair to the goodwill of the embassy staff.

While commenting about US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island, an article in Foreign Policy mocked that Taiwan cannot rely on "Daddy America" to solve its problems. That is a good analogy on the DPP's attitude toward the US.

When the Taiwan compatriots trapped in Cambodia rush to the Chinese embassy for help, it shows who they see as family.