China on Friday (November 5) vowed to punish “stubborn” Taiwanese politicians, saying it will ban some people from visiting the mainland because the tension between Beijing and Taipei has soared to its highest level in years.
China claims that Taiwan is its territory — it will one day be occupied, using force if necessary — and has intensified its efforts to isolate this autonomous island on the international stage in recent years.
In recent years, China has substantially intensified its military activities. In early October, the number of aircraft that invaded the island’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) hit a record high.
The English version is online! !
There are many reasons why China sends military aircraft to Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. As many of you pointed out in my last post, this has nothing to do with air defense identification zones that are not supported by international law.https://t.co/ycuDpDZqAU
-Daniel Kao (@Diplateevo) November 2, 2021
On Friday, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in Beijing warned that “the mainland will pursue criminal responsibility for Taiwan independence diehards in accordance with the law, and it will be effective for life.”
A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China said on Friday that China will hold those who support Taiwan independence for life criminal responsibility.
— Newsmax (@newsmax) November 5, 2021
Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian listed Taiwan’s Prime Minister Su Zengchang, Speaker of the Parliament Yu Shikun, and Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie as a few supporters of independence in the statement.
Zhu said that these politicians “attempted to incite cross-strait confrontation, maliciously attacked and slandered the mainland…seriously undermined cross-strait relations.”
She added that Beijing has banned them and their families from entering the mainland, Hong Kong or Macau.
She said that their affiliates will also be restricted from cooperating with mainland organizations and individuals, but did not provide more details.
Taiwan’s Su ignored Beijing’s threats on Friday, saying he “will not be intimidated.”
When asked about the list of “die-hards” in the parliament, Su said in Beijing: “It is not (ruling) Taiwan for a day, but around Taiwan.”
The nationalist Kuomintang fled to Taiwan in 1949 after its defeat in the Chinese Civil War.
This island of 24 million people has been transformed into a vibrant democracy and a major technology center, leading many people, including President Tsai Ing-wen, to insist on Taiwan’s unique identity, which Beijing sees as separatism.
Since Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016, the relationship between Beijing and Taipei has declined sharply.
“Those who forget their ancestors, betray the motherland, and split the country will not end well,” Zhu said.
A day ago, the head of the European Parliament delegation visiting Taipei called Taiwan’s democracy a “treasure” that needs to be protected and promised to stand with Taiwan.
Members of the European Parliament urged greater interaction with Taiwan
The head of the delegation of the European Parliament on Friday urged the international community to increase interaction with Taiwan to help ease tensions with China, refuting claims that Taiwan’s visit to Taiwan is a provocation.
Beijing on Thursday expressed “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to the first “official” delegation of the European Parliament to visit Taipei.
“Coming to Taiwan is not a provocation. This should be normal,” French MP Rafael Glucksman said at a news conference in Taipei.
He warned that isolating Taiwan would exacerbate tensions, and that “incorporating Taiwan into our debate is actually dispelling deep security concerns.”
“We firmly believe that the more interaction between the international community and Taiwan, the less dangerous the situation in the (Taiwan) Strait,” said Glucksman, who led the delegation.
Gluxman is an outspoken critic of China. He was one of five lawmakers sanctioned by China in March. He said he was not afraid of Beijing’s actions.
He added: “We will not do anything to anger any other power, but we will not do anything because we are afraid of provocative letters or sanctions.”
Despite the warning letter issued by the Beijing ambassador to Paris, Beijing also reacted angrily when a group of French senators headed by Alain Richard went to Taipei last month.
Last year, China called the Czech Senate Speaker Milos Westhill’s visit to Taiwan a “provocation” and vowed that he would “pay a high price”.
