China issued new legal guidelines on June 21, 2024 that threatens prosecution and, in extreme cases, the death penalty for Taiwan independence separatists. The warning appeared to also apply to those living in Hong Kong and Macau.
The new guidelines say China’s courts, prosecutors, public and state security bodies should “severely punish Taiwan independence diehards for splitting the country and inciting secession crimes in accordance with the law, and resolutely defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity”, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency. The guidelines are being issued in accordance with laws already on the books, including the 2005 anti-succession law, Xinhua said.
The guidelines detail what is considered a crime worthy of punishment, including promoting Taiwan’s entry to international organizations where statehood is a condition, having “external official exchanges” and “suppressing” parties, groups and people that promote “reunification”.
The guidelines add a further clause to what could be considered a crime – “other acts that seek to separate Taiwan from China” – meaning the rules can be broadly interpreted.
Taiwan’s President, Mr. Lai, criticized the new rules. “China has no right to sanction Taiwanese people for their political opinions or pursue prosecution across borders,” he said on social media earlier this week. “Democracy is not a crime; autocracy is what’s truly malicious.” Taiwan also issued a travel advisory and warned Taiwanese citizens not to visit China unless necessary.
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China threatens death penalty for ‘diehard’ Taiwan separatists (Reuters)
