What’s new: Beijing will impose punitive measures against “diehard Taiwan separatists” and investigate them for criminal acts, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
Zhu said the measures include prohibiting such separatists and their relatives from entering the Chinese mainland and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as restricting cooperation between their affiliated organizations and mainland organizations and individuals.
They also include banning affiliated companies and financial supporters of the separatists from earning profits in the mainland, Zhu said.
A small number of diehard separatists “have been trying to incite cross-strait confrontation, maliciously attacking and slandering the mainland” and “colluding with external forces to divide the country,” which “seriously damages cross-strait relations” and “seriously harms the common interests of compatriots on both sides, and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.”
The background: Beijing has been reiterating its stance on matters related to Taiwan and warning against remarks and actions regarded as a violation of the “One China” policy.
Last month, a Ministry of National Defense spokesperson said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is on high alert and maintains combat readiness against external interference and separatist acts, in response to a question about a U.S. statement that said the Pentagon will help Taiwan maintain its defensive capabilities.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the United States “to pursue a real one-China policy” when he met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Sunday, noting that bilateral relations would suffer “subversive and overall damage” if Taiwan issues are mishandled.
Contact reporter Cai Xuejiao (xuejiaocai@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
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