The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has issued punitive “opinions” targeting Taiwan independence, claiming that the most severe punishment could be the death penalty. The U.S. State Department has condemned these “opinions”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expressed its welcome and gratitude to the United States today (25th).
The CCP’s Supreme Court, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, and other departments jointly released the “opinions” on punishing Taiwan independence and claimed that they would be implemented from the date of issuance. On the 21st, the Taiwan Affairs Office hastily held a press conference to announce these “opinions”, stating that those involved in “splitting the country” could face a “trial in absentia”, with the most severe punishment being the death penalty, and could be prosecuted across borders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) issued a press release today in response to the CCP’s recent release of the “Opinions on Punishing Stubborn Taiwan Independence Separatists and Inciting Separatist Crimes”. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated at a routine press conference on the 24th, Eastern U.S. time, that the U.S. strongly condemns the CCP’s actions that undermine stability and escalate tensions, urging them to show restraint and not unilaterally change the status quo. He also pointed out that threats and legal warfare cannot peacefully resolve the differences between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and once again urged China to engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan.
In response to the strong condemnation from the U.S. towards the CCP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expressed its welcome and gratitude to the U.S.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) stated that the CCP has recently been manipulating legal warfare, cognitive warfare, and threats in various forums, whether it is attempting to restrict Taiwan’s democracy and freedom through the “22 opinions” or suppressing Taiwan’s international space by distorting and misquoting UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 in the long run, and its continued regional expansion, aiming to challenge the status quo and expand its influence, has drawn high concern and stern condemnation from the international community.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to cooperate hand in hand with the United States and all like-minded partners to show authoritarian governments like the CCP that the international community will not allow them to set red lines and will collectively defend the rules-based international order to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the people of Taiwan enjoy fundamental freedoms, democracy, and rights that are non-negotiable under the constitution. The so-called laws and norms of the CCP have no binding force on the Taiwanese people, and they have no authority to impose sanctions or prosecute the people of Taiwan across borders. Just as President Lai Ching-te openly emphasized, “Democracy is not a crime, dictatorship is the evil.” Taiwan is willing to engage in cross-strait dialogue and exchanges with the goal of mutual prosperity, urging both sides to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining peace and enhancing the well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.