In response to the Chinese Communist Party’s release of the so-called “opinions” on disciplining Taiwan independence advocates with penalties that could include the death penalty, various sectors in Taiwan have expressed their opinions. Experts point out that the people in Taiwan cannot remain indifferent to this issue. The methods employed by the Chinese Communist Party will only expose its thuggish nature and violent essence to free countries more clearly.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party hastily convened a press conference on the 21st to announce the punitive measures against advocates of Taiwan independence. Those involved in “splitting the country” could face “absentee trials,” with the most severe punishment being the death penalty, and they may also be prosecuted across borders.
Lai Ching-te today expressed his views on amending the Legislative Yuan’s powers in a public speech, stating, “We oppose the expansion of parliamentary powers, not parliamentary reform.” He has signed and published the bill in accordance with the Constitution but, in order to safeguard constitutional order and protect the rights of the people, he will apply for a constitutional interpretation and temporary injunction from the Constitutional Court. When asked about the recent announcement by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party regarding the new regulations for punishing Taiwan independence advocates, including the possibility of the death penalty and cross-border actions, Lai Ching-te responded.
Lai Ching-te stated that before addressing the question, he wanted to express his condolences to the people affected by the heavy rains in southern China and hoped for a smooth post-disaster reconstruction in China to enable the affected people to resume normal lives as soon as possible. He emphasized, “Democracy is not a crime, authoritarianism is evil!” He pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party has no right to sanction the Taiwanese people simply because of their beliefs. He emphasized that Taiwan has only one party that is not advocating for Taiwan independence, which is the Unification Promoting Party. He called for unity and cooperation from all sides in facing this issue together.
Furthermore, Lai Ching-te urged the Chinese Communist Party to acknowledge the existence of the Republic of China and engage in communication and dialogue with the legitimate government elected by the Taiwanese people. This is the correct way to enhance the well-being of both sides. Failure to do so will only result in a further distancing of relations between Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party.
Legal commentator Chen Yi-shen told Epoch Times that China has signed judicial assistance agreements with 65 countries, which may help in arresting Taiwanese individuals who do not accept China’s unification. The definition of “Taiwan independence” by the Chinese Communist Party also includes those who uphold the position of the Republic of China and do not consider Taiwan as part of China, including members of the Kuomintang (Blue) and People First Party (White). Therefore, all Taiwanese people cannot remain aloof from this issue.
Chen Yi-shen warned that the risks for Taiwanese individuals travelling for business or leisure to mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau will significantly increase. Even in countries friendly to China, such as Russia, North Korea, Iran, Arab countries, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia, individuals should also pay attention to their own security.
Chen Yi-shen pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party’s announcement of punishing Taiwan independence advocates with the possibility of the death penalty is intended to intimidate the people of Taiwan. He reminded all Taiwanese to recognize China’s intention to annex Taiwan and not to think that it does not concern them. If the Legislative Yuan strongly enacts laws similar to the Chinese Communist Party’s version, such as the so-called “anti-Taiwan independence law,” Taiwanese individuals will be subject to direct jurisdiction under Chinese Communist Party law, leading to a change in their freedom.
Founder of TSMC, Morris Chang, expressed on Facebook on the 23rd that the Chinese Communist Party is an illegal regime established through violence and lies, without authorization from the Chinese people through votes. Therefore, all the laws it promulgates are illegal. He stated that China’s claim to Taiwan’s sovereignty and the punishment of so-called “Taiwan independence advocates” using the illegal Anti-Secession Law is an international joke. This will not make the Taiwanese people submit but will only make free countries see more clearly the thuggish nature and violent essence of the Chinese Communist Party.
Morris Chang emphasized that he will not go to any region under Chinese Communist Party jurisdiction or influence.
Chairman of the Taiwan Hong Kong Association, Sampo Shang, analyzed on NTD’s “News Analysis” program that the Chinese Communist Party essentially considers anyone who does not support being unified by the Communist Party, or anyone who wishes to maintain Taiwan’s current status quo, as advocating for Taiwan independence. They aim to achieve in Taiwan what they have enforced in Hong Kong through their National Security Law. This is not based on legal principles or clear legal rules; instead, it is a tool for the Chinese Communist Party to suppress not only Taiwanese people but also all global supporters of Taiwan.
The Supreme People’s Court, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of State Security, and other departments of the Chinese Communist Party jointly released opinions on punishing Taiwan independence advocates, announcing their implementation from the date of the announcement. Sampo pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party’s announcement to punish “Taiwan independence” advocates with the death penalty at most. They have a term called “seizing the typical,” which is akin to what happened in the past with the illegal detention of Taiwanese individuals by the Chinese Communist Party such as Lee Ming-che and Lee Meng-chu. He urged Taiwanese individuals to avoid unnecessary travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau to prevent arrest.
Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu, in a joint media interview on the 22nd, was asked about the Chinese Communist Party’s disciplining of Taiwan independence advocates and whether it would demonstrate its jurisdiction over Taiwan and whether it would be dangerous for Taiwanese people to travel to the mainland. Eric Chu mentioned, “It is very clear that the mainland has no judicial jurisdiction over the Republic of China, and for all Taiwanese people, there is no judicial jurisdiction whatsoever.”
On the 23rd, Taipei Mayor Jason Wang stated in a media interview that the statements from the other side are of no help to the exchanges and peaceful development between the two sides. He reiterated his firm and consistent position of abiding by the Constitution of the Republic of China, safeguarding the sovereignty of the Republic of China, and upholding Taiwan’s democratic freedom and rule of law.
Chairman of the People First Party, Ko Wen-je, in a media interview on the 23rd, stated that the Communist Party believes that by doing so, the Taiwanese people will be afraid and lean towards the Chinese Communist Party. However, these actions will only make Taiwanese people run further away, even closer to the United States.