The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday condemned China’s attempt to assert jurisdiction over Taiwan, after Chinese authorities launched an investigation into Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Shen (沈柏洋) for “secession.”
Shen and United Microelectronics Corp founder Robert Tsao (曹興誠) were last year added to Beijing’s list of so-called “die-hard Taiwanese independence activists,” which also includes former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴).
In June, Shen’s father’s business was also placed on a sanctions list as punishment for “supporting Taiwanese independence.”
Photo: Taipei Times
Chinese state-run China Central Television yesterday reported that the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau had launched an investigation into Shen for “engaging in activities that undermine national unity” through the establishment of Kuma Academy, which it labeled a “separatist organization.”
The bureau also encouraged the public to report tips, saying that it would keep the identities of whistle-blowers confidential.
“The Chinese Communist Party [CCP] has crossed the line by using its internal laws to build a criminal case against one of our legislators,” the MAC said in a statement. “The CCP has absolutely no jurisdiction over Taiwan, and its so-called laws and regulations have no binding force on Taiwanese.”
“Under the Republic of China [ROC] Constitution, Taiwanese have inalienable freedom and rights. However, the CCP seeks to impose cross-border persecution under the guise of punishing ‘pro-Taiwanese independence advocates.’ Its goal is to divide and threaten Taiwan, but it would surely fail,” it said.
Taiwanese should remain vigilant about their personal safety when traveling to China, as they could be illegally arrested or detained without any legitimate reason, it said.
It also advised the public not to collaborate with the CCP, Chinese government agencies or the Chinese military for personal gain, adding that such actions could contravene national security laws.
MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) also condemned Beijing for using its 22 guidelines to fabricate offenses and criminalize Taiwanese legislators.
The 22 guidelines, announced in June, outline punishments for so-called “die-hard” Taiwanese independence advocates, including provisions that permit lifelong persecution and authorize the Chinese government to exercise long-arm jurisdiction over Taiwanese for making political statements, Chiu said.
They also allow for convictions and even the death penalty to be imposed in absentia, he added.
“The guidelines are an escalation of China’s threats against Taiwan,” Chiu said. “They are designed to intimidate and divide all Taiwanese, not just Shen.”
Shen wrote on Facebook that Taiwanese are “not afraid.”
He said he had only one day earlier analyzed “abnormal signals” that Beijing had been sending.
“Today, China has acted, targeting people who ask questions and defend Taiwan,” he said, adding that the move was in character for the CCP.
By having the Chongqing bureau open an investigation, Beijing’s next move would likely be to issue an arrest warrant and later sentence me in absentia, Shen said.
“It doesn’t matter. In any case, Taiwanese are not afraid,” he said.
Additional reporting by CNA
TRAFFIC SAFETY RULES: A positive result in a drug test would result in a two-year license suspension for the driver and vehicle, and a fine of up to NT$180,000 The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is to authorize police to conduct roadside saliva tests by the end of the year to deter people from driving while under the influence of narcotics, it said yesterday. The ministry last month unveiled a draft of amended regulations governing traffic safety rules and penalties, which included provisions empowering police to conduct mandatory saliva tests on drivers. While currently rules authorize police to use oral fluid testing kits for signs of drug use, they do not establish penalties for noncompliance or operating procedures for officers to follow, the ministry said. The proposed changes to the regulations require
The Executive Yuan yesterday announced that registration for a one-time universal NT$10,000 cash handout to help people in Taiwan survive US tariffs and inflation would start on Nov. 5, with payouts available as early as Nov. 12. Who is eligible for the handout? Registered Taiwanese nationals are eligible, including those born in Taiwan before April 30 next year with a birth certificate. Non-registered nationals with residence permits, foreign permanent residents and foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens with residence permits also qualify for the handouts. For people who meet the eligibility requirements, but passed away between yesterday and April 30 next year, surviving family members
Taiwanese officials are courting podcasters and influencers aligned with US President Donald Trump as they grow more worried the US leader could undermine Taiwanese interests in talks with China, people familiar with the matter said. Trump has said Taiwan would likely be on the agenda when he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) next week in a bid to resolve persistent trade tensions. China has asked the White House to officially declare it “opposes” Taiwanese independence, Bloomberg reported last month, a concession that would mark a major diplomatic win for Beijing. President William Lai (賴清德) and his top officials
The German city of Hamburg on Oct. 14 named a bridge “Kaohsiung-Brucke” after the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung. The footbridge, formerly known as F566, is to the east of the Speicherstadt, the world’s largest warehouse district, and connects the Dar-es-Salaam-Platz to the Brooktorpromenade near the Port of Hamburg on the Elbe River. Timo Fischer, a Free Democratic Party member of the Hamburg-Mitte District Assembly, in May last year proposed the name change with support from members of the Social Democratic Party and the Christian Democratic Union. Kaohsiung and Hamburg in 1999 inked a sister city agreement, but despite more than a quarter-century of
RSS