Image Credit: Focus Taiwan
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has sharply criticized China’s release of a new guideline aimed at “Punishing Stubborn Taiwan Independence Elements,” which was announced on Wednesday. The MAC, as reported by Liberty Times, condemned the move, asserting that it undermines the prospects for constructive cross-strait relations.
The newly issued Chinese guidelines include a list of ten individuals previously blacklisted, among them prominent Taiwanese figures such as Su Tseng-chang and Joseph Wu. This follows China’s June document outlining legal measures for dealing with supporters of Taiwan’s independence. Notably, the earlier document proposed severe penalties, including the death sentence for those convicted of “splitting the country,” with life imprisonment or fixed-term sentences exceeding ten years for others.
MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng responded to the development, emphasizing that China’s actions reflect a continuation of its legal warfare against Taiwan, a strategy that has been in place since the enactment of the Anti-Secession Law in 2005. Chiu argued that Beijing’s attempts to assert jurisdiction over Taiwanese citizens are illegitimate and reiterated Taiwan’s position of sovereignty.
The MAC’s rebuke highlights ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China, as Taipei criticizes Beijing’s approach to cross-strait issues and calls for policies that promote positive and constructive interactions. The latest guidelines from China are seen by many as a further escalation in the complex and contentious relationship between the two sides.
This response underscores the enduring friction in cross-strait relations and the broader geopolitical implications of Beijing’s stance towards Taiwan’s autonomy.