The Republic of China (Taiwan) Supervisory Committee member Lin Wen-cheng stated that Taiwanese nationals frequently encounter harassment and improper restrictions on personal freedom by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) security units in China. The Supervisory Committee has called on the Executive Yuan to take this issue seriously and urge the Mainland Affairs Council to continue strengthening public awareness of crisis and emergency rescue measures.
According to Lin Wen-cheng, the CCP has been intensifying legislation in the national security field, aiming to shape a legal environment under national security laws that allows for arbitrary operations. CCP security units can target specific background individuals, fabricate national security reasons for harassment, and even arrest Taiwanese nationals in China, while threatening individuals to cooperate in intelligence gathering and assist in organizing activities in Taiwan.
As a result, any behavior by Taiwanese nationals while staying in China, such as discussing Xi Jinping or the CCP regime, filming port or military exercise scenes, promoting democratic and freedom ideals, closely interacting with foreign institutions outside of China, contacting democratic figures, or collecting social information in China, could potentially lead to their arrest by the CCP on charges of violating so-called national security laws.
The investigation report pointed out that in the “Opinions on Punishing Separatist and Subversive Crimes in Taiwan,” issued on June 21st, the most severe penalty could be the death penalty. Actions and expressions that are common in Taiwan’s highly democratic and free society can be arbitrarily deemed as advocating separatism or subversion in China. For example, a Taiwanese entertainer traveling to South Korea was reported for supporting Taiwan independence simply for holding the national flag of the Republic of China. Regardless of whether there is actual evidence, the inhumane trial process can leave arrested individuals physically and mentally exhausted, even leading to collapse.
Lin Wen-cheng emphasized that in recent years, cases of harassment, unjust restriction of personal freedom, and even imprisonment of Taiwanese nationals in China have been on the rise, indicating a worsening trend. The Internal Affairs, Ethnic Groups, Foreign Affairs, and National Defense Committees of the Supervisory Yuan recently approved his investigation report, highlighting the need for the government to strengthen the promotion of “Avoid going to dangerous countries, Do not reside in chaotic countries,” urging the Executive Yuan to take this seriously and supervise the Mainland Affairs Council to continue reporting instances of human rights violations by China, enhance public awareness of crises, and emergency rescue measures, while closely monitoring developments and issuing or upgrading travel alerts when necessary, urging Taiwanese to carefully consider whether to visit China to safeguard their personal freedom and security.
Lin Wen-cheng warned that China is one of the most authoritarian, repressive, and least free countries in the world, with arbitrary definitions of national security, rough judicial processes, disregard for human rights, and poor quality judgments. Traveling to China is full of pitfalls and potential crises, while Taiwan is one of the freest and most democratic countries globally. Taiwanese have long enjoyed a life of freedom and democracy and often lack awareness of potential risks when visiting China for tourism or work.
Lin Wen-cheng mentioned that Taiwanese nationals engaging in various exchange activities in China have been reported to face harassment or unlawful violations of personal freedom by the Chinese security units. However, due to fear of retaliation by the Chinese authorities, the affected Taiwanese are reluctant to contact the relevant authorities, preventing timely assistance. Furthermore, due to the arrogant attitude of the CCP, they refuse to cooperate according to cross-strait agreements with Taiwan. It is evident that the government’s protection of the personal freedom rights of Taiwanese nationals while in China is inadequate.
Lin Wen-cheng noted that the Mainland Affairs Council and the Straits Exchange Foundation do not have branch offices in China. Therefore, if Taiwan citizens encounter issues related to personal freedom in China and need local assistance, they must rely on local Taiwanese business associations for assistance, which reduces the effectiveness and efficiency of rescuing Taiwanese citizens. It is advised that the Executive Yuan should instruct the Mainland Affairs Council to inform the public about the situation and urge the people traveling to China to avoid behaviors that may violate national security or other criminal laws.
Lin Wen-cheng suggested that for the establishment of comprehensive security measures for Taiwanese traveling to China, the Mainland Affairs Council should establish a 24-hour emergency service line through the Straits Exchange Foundation and implement a “Real-time Registration System for Taiwanese Visiting Mainland China and Hong Kong.” It was found that in the year 112 of the Republic of China (2023), over 1.76 million individuals traveled to China, but only 3,426 individuals and 1,625 groups were registered, resulting in a very low registration rate and ineffective implementation.
He urged the Mainland Affairs Council to compile statistics on Taiwanese nationals being detained, imprisoned, sentenced, imprisoned, restricted in residence, or restricted from leaving by the CCP, and continue to report instances of improper restrictions on the personal freedom of Taiwanese individuals by China. The government should enhance relevant promotions and inform the public fully of the risks of traveling to and engaging in exchanges in China so that individuals can evaluate whether or not to visit China.
Lin Wen-cheng emphasized that the Mainland Affairs Council should work with security agencies to continuously monitor changes in cross-strait situations and, where necessary, promptly raise travel alerts for mainland China and Hong Kong regions, urging people to carefully assess whether to travel to China to maintain personal freedom and security.