China: death penalty for advocating 'Taiwan independence'
China on June 21 instated the death penalty for "particularly serious" cases involving supporters of Taiwanese independence. New judicial guidelines outline severe punishments for activities deemed as fragmenting the country or inciting secession. The new standards, entitled "Opinions on Punishing the Crimes of Splitting the Country & Inciting Splitting the Country by 'Taiwan Independence' Diehards," were jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of State Security and the Ministry of Justice. The document sets forth a legal framework with the goal of combatting "separatist" activities by proponents of Taiwan's independence.
The guidelines categorize and outline specific actions that constitute crimes of secession and incitement to secession, including:
- Initiating or establishing organizations, plans, or programs aimed at promoting Taiwanese independence.
- Attempting to alter Taiwan’s status through legislative means or referendums.
- Seeking international recognition of Taiwan as an independent entity.
- Using one's job or influence, such as in government, education, or media, to misrepresent or falsify the history of Taiwan's status as part of China.
- Consistently taking part in or playing a major role in activities that support Taiwanese independence.
The new standards stipulate severe punishments for those identified as leaders or significant participants in secessionist activities, and classify actions causing "significant harm to the state and its people" as offenses that may result in the death penalty. Other punishments range from life imprisonment to fixed-term imprisonment, similarly depending on the severity and role in the activities.
In response to the new guidelines, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council issued a statement emphasizing the democratic freedoms enjoyed by Taiwan's citizens. The council asserted that Beijing has no jurisdiction over Taiwan and that the new laws are therefore not binding on the people of Taiwan. The council further criticized the Chinese Communist Party's actions as detrimental to cross-strait relations.
The guidelines officially came into force on the date of their release, just three days after the sighting of a Chinese nuclear submarine surfacing near Taiwan. National Defense Minister of Taiwan Wellington Koo stated on June 16 that the Taiwanese government was vigilantly monitoring the situation.
Fom Jurist, June 22. Used with pernission.
Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China condemns PRC pressure
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) issued a statement July 29 confirming several of its members were contacted by People's Republic of China embassies in their respective countries to "attempt to intimidate and dissuade them" from travelling to Taiwan for the upcoming IPAC summit in Taipei. (Jurist)
China sanctions 'Taiwanese separatists' amid military drills
China's Taiwan Affairs Office announced Oct. 14 sanctions against Taiwanese businessman Robert Tsao and lawmaker Puma Shen, banning them from entering mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. The two are accused of promoting Taiwanese independence and engaging in separatist activities.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, highlighted their involvement with the "Black Bear Academy," an organization that allegedly fosters pro-independence sentiments among Taiwanese youth, supported by the Democratic Progressive Party and external forces. The office also stated that the activities of Tsao and Shen pose serious threats to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, undermining the interests of people on both sides.
For their involvement, the office has included Shen and Tsao in a list of so-called "Taiwan independence diehards" and imposed sanctions against them, including restrictions on their financial and institutional cooperation with mainland organizations apart from banning entry to China.
Chen warned that advocates of Taiwanese independence would face significant repercussions for their actions, urging Taiwanese citizens to oppose separatist movements and promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation.
In June, China introduced the death penalty for "particularly serious" cases involving supporters of Taiwanese independence The guidelines stipulate that severe punishments should be imposed on those identified as leaders or significant participants in secessionist activists and committed acts causing "significant harm to the state and its people."
In response, Shen stated that the sanctions are part of China's "United Front" campaign to boost cross-strait reunification, along with media warfare and military actions around Taiwan.
Following Taiwan's National Day on Oct. 10, China conducted on Monday joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait, which Taiwan and the US described as a military provocation that undermined peace and stability in the area. (Jurist)
China conducts military drills around Taiwan as 'stern warning'
China's military deployed Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct joint drills around Taiwan on Dec. 27 as a "stern warning" against Taiwanese independence.
In response, Taiwan placed its forces on "high alert," condemning China's "irrational provocations" and asserting that the actions "undermine regional peace."
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) drills tested the capabilities of integrated operations around the island for "neutralizing the enemy at maximum range." They also focused on the coordination of sea and air forces and "precise target hunting."
Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense expounded on the PLA role in plans for reunification with Taiwan at a press conference on Dec. 25:
Karen Kuo, spokesperson for the Taiwanese president's office, responded, stating:
The action follows China's objection to US President Donald Trump’s proposal of a $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan—potentially the largest-ever between the two countries. On December 26, China sanctioned 20 US defense firms and several executives, and urged the US to stop supporting Taiwan, indicating that any actions that "cross the line" with Taiwan would be met with a strong response. However, the US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with arms to defend itself.
Human Rights Watch has recently expressed concern over China’s targeting of individuals who express support for Taiwanese "separatism." (Jurist)
Taiwan responds to 'Justice Mission 2025'
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Jan. 1 to defend the island's sovereignty, just days after Beijing concluded the "Justice Mission 2025" military drills near Taiwan.
President Lai pledged in his New Year's address to strengthen national defense. When questioned about the risk of a Chinese invasion, Lai said: "For Taiwan, the most important thing is, as stated in The Art of War by Sun Tzu, 'Rely not on the likelihood of the enemies not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him.' We must make the worst assumptions and also make the best preparations."
Lai’s remarks followed China's live-fire military drills near its shore. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported on Wednesday the detection of 77 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 17 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and eight more "official ships" around Taiwan.
The action came after China objected to US President Donald Trump's proposal of a $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan, which would mark the largest-ever weapons transfer between the two countries. On Dec. 26, China sanctioned 20 US defense firms and several executives for supporting Taiwan. Three days later, China military launched the drills around Taiwan as a "stern warning" against Taiwanese independence.
Taiwan has proposed a special US$40 billion defense budget allocated over eight years from 2026 to 2033 to fund arms purchases and develop the "Taiwan Dome," an island-wide air defense system with advanced detection and interception capabilities. President Lai has also committed to raising overall defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030.
In his New Year's address, President Lai asserted the necessity of the defense budget, calling on opposition parties to prioritize national security over partisan differences.
Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) lawmakers blocked the bill authorizing the special defense budget from being placed on the agenda for the upcoming Legislative Yuan plenary session on Wednesday, marking their fifth obstruction of the measure in December. KMT deputy secretary-general Wang Hung-wei criticized the 30% government expenditure to military allocation as excessive, drawing comparisons to Ukraine’s similar level of military spending during actual wartime, and Israel's expenditure of only 14%. She demanded greater transparency, and a presidential report to the legislature on the question. (Jurist)