The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the Chinese State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office for labeling Taiwan’s Minister of the Interior, Liu Shih-fang, and Minister of Education, Cheng Ying-yao as “stubborn Taiwan independence elements,” and the Taiwanese prosecutor at the High Prosecutors Office, Chen Shu-yi, as “accomplices of Taiwan independence thugs.” The Ministry urged the international community to collectively act and stop the Chinese Communist Party’s egregious illegal actions of transnational repression.
In a press conference today, the Chinese State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Chen Binhua, announced the listing of Minister Liu Shih-fang and Minister Cheng Ying-yao as “stubborn Taiwan independence elements,” and the Taiwanese prosecutor Chen Shu-yi as an “accomplice of Taiwan independence thugs.”
Prosecutor Chen Shu-yi of the Taiwanese High Prosecutors Office has previously handled multiple national security cases and is currently responsible for espionage cases and other national security-related investigations. Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang stated that the defense of national sovereignty and democratic way of life will not change, and Taiwan will continue to safeguard its interests. Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao mentioned that the Ministry of Education will continue to uphold the spirit of the Basic Education Law, promote patriotism, and protect Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) issued a statement pointing out that the Chinese government has repeatedly used brute force tactics of “transnational repression” and “long-arm jurisdiction” to intimidate, harass, or interfere with Taiwanese and other foreign people. Such actions not only violate human rights and cross the bottom line of the rule of law civilization but also seriously contravene the spirit of international law and international human rights norms. The Ministry strongly condemned these actions and called on the international community to collectively address the Chinese Communist Party’s abusive and illegal practices of transnational repression.
The Ministry reiterated that Taiwan is not under the authority of the People’s Republic of China and that the Chinese Communist Party has no jurisdiction over the people of Taiwan. Those persecuted by transnational repression in Taiwan are protected by the Taiwanese government, and domestic collaborators who assist in reporting on Taiwanese people under the pressure of the Chinese Communist Party should face legal sanctions.
The Ministry emphasized that it will continue to closely coordinate with relevant government agencies in responding to the situation and enhance cooperation with the international community. It will also strengthen emergency assistance mechanisms at overseas missions to ensure the safety of the public.
The Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China issued a press release expressing the strongest protest and condemnation regarding the Chinese State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office’s announcement of listing Taiwan’s Minister of the Interior, Liu Shih-fang, Minister of Education, Cheng Ying-yao, and Prosecutor Chen Shu-yi of the High Prosecutors Office as “stubborn Taiwan independence elements” and “accomplices” and claiming to implement “lifelong accountability” in accordance with the law.
The Council underscored that the Republic of China is a sovereign independent country, and the fact that the two sides of the Taiwan strait are not subordinate to each other is an objective reality. The Chinese Communist Party’s actions severely damage cross-strait relations, fail to intimidate, and only serve to provoke strong indignation and resentment among the Taiwanese people.
Furthermore, the Council pointed out that the so-called “stubborn Taiwan independence elements” targeted by the Chinese Communist Party are public officials who steadfastly defend the Republic of China in their official capacities and counteract the pressure, infiltration, and espionage activities exerted by the Chinese Communist Party towards Taiwan. The goal of the Chinese Communist Party is not just names on a list but to create a chilling effect and make the Taiwanese people abandon their determination to maintain the status quo and uphold democracy and freedom.
Additionally, the Council stated that the Chinese Communist Party continues to cultivate local collaborators to divide Taiwan internally and reduce the cost of unifying Taiwan. The Chinese Communist Party attempts to assert its jurisdiction over Taiwan to the world by criminalizing cases as “domestic criminal offenses.” All of the Chinese Communist Party’s actions are futile and tawdry tricks.
The Council emphasized that threats and intimidation will never shake the determination of the Taiwanese people to uphold democracy and freedom. The government will steadfastly defend national sovereignty, judicial sovereignty, and the well-being of the people. All the serious consequences arising from the Chinese Communist Party’s provocative actions against cross-strait stability should be borne entirely by the Chinese side.