Fri, Apr 04, 2025 page3

• China to intensify crackdown on independence backers

  • By Chen Yun and Hollie Younger / Staff reporter, with staff writer
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  Beijing’s cross-border crackdown on Taiwanese independence supporters is expected to escalate, extending beyond China and its territories to “China-friendy” countries and those with Chinese police stations, national security officials said yesterday.

  Following the conclusion of China’s annual parliamentary meetings last month, China’s cross-border repression is expected to expand, the officials said.

  Beijing’s annual work conference on Taiwan affairs was held on Feb. 25 and 26, followed by the “two sessions” — the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference — from March 5 to 11, they said.

  

  A surveillance camera is silhouetted behind a Chinese national flag in Beijing on Nov. 3, 2022.

  Photo: Reuters

  Those perceived to support Taiwanese or Tibetan independence face increased risks of police interrogation, arbitrary arrest and indictment on false charges when they visit mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and certain “China-friendly” countries, they said.

  Taiwanese have been advised to exercise caution when traveling to China.

  Moreover, people worldwide who are believed to support or aid Taiwanese or Tibetan independence, including researchers and members of international democracy groups, should be wary of visiting China and its territories, they said.

  These people could be arrested on charges such as endangering national security or colluding with foreign forces, they said.

  The caution not only extends to China — countries that maintain good relations with Beijing might also pose a risk, as local police may exercise pressure and intimidation, the officials said.

  In countries with Chinese overseas police stations, Taiwanese might be questioned or falsely accused of crimes, they added.

  Taiwanese security agencies have been exchanging intelligence information with counterparts in various locations, they said.

  The Chinese Communist Party aims to exert pressure on Taiwan to cooperate with “united front” activities, other national security officials said.

  Tactics include inviting select Taiwanese figures to attend extended military parades and launching cross-strait exchanges, in which at least half of participants must be first-time attendees, they added.

  The new participants would receive discounted tourism packages and subsidized trips in exchange, they said.

  Furthermore, China has launched a new wave of information warfare, spreading a “green terror” conspiracy theory to undermine the government and deter Taiwanese independence, they said.

  “Green terror” is a term used to criticize the actions of the Democratic Progressive Party, known as the green party, in a play on Taiwan’s White Terror era of violent suppression of political dissidents that began in 1947.

  “Green terror” propaganda campaign sows distrust of the US, claiming it would abandon or suppress Taiwan, and discredits President William Lai (賴清德) by comparing him to Adolf Hitler and his party to the Nazis, insinuating that Taiwan is on the brink of martial law, they said.

  It further pushes the narrative that Taiwan’s defeat is inevitable by claiming that Taiwan is provoking Beijing and, as such, would be taken by military force, with Taiwan’s military having no way to defend itself, they said.

  The goal is to instill the fear of war in Taiwanese society, they said.

  Meanwhile, China conducted military drills in the Taiwan Strait on March 17, framed as “joint combat readiness alert patrols,” another official said.

  China did not release much accompanying information or propaganda alongside the drills, which could be a sign of internal struggles, they said, adding that it does not want to appear too aggressive and harm its international image.

  There are also internal concerns that excessive military posturing could undermine three decades of efforts to strengthen China’s military, they said.

  However, Beijing has been cracking down on these views, suppressing dissent and initiating purges within the military, signaling an unusual level of discord within its ranks, they added.
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