Will China Punish Taiwan Separatists by Law?

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Reports have emerged that China may accelerate the enactment of laws to punish Taiwan separatists.

On the 18th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing experts, reported, "As China compiles a blacklist targeting Taiwan separatists and their supporters, academic circles have been discussing creating laws and regulations aimed at them to serve as tools for punishment."

In November last year, Hong Kong's pro-China newspaper Ta Kung Pao reported that China's Taiwan Affairs Office was compiling a blacklist to control separatists who desire Taiwan independence.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China, stated, "The acts of a very small number of 'Taiwan independence' elements openly challenging national sovereignty and territorial integrity are absolutely unacceptable. We will strike at them and their key supporters, including financial backers, according to the law," effectively acknowledging the push for a blacklist.

On the 9th, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned, "Taiwan independence separatism is the greatest obstacle to national reunification and a serious threat to national rejuvenation," adding, "Those who betray the motherland and split the country will not end well. They will surely be abandoned by the people and judged by history."

This has led to analyses suggesting that China will take concrete actions beyond verbal threats to curb Taiwan's independence forces. Wang Jianmin, a Taiwan specialist at Minnan Normal University in China, said, "President Xi's warning shows the Chinese authorities' determination to punish separatists, including holding them accountable through legal means."

Jung Jen, a member of the National Taiwan Studies Association, said, "If there are no practical means to punish Taiwan separatists, the independence forces will become more unruly," adding, "It is especially advisable to create clear and direct laws specifically targeting the independence forces."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.