The Taiwanese government has issued a warning to its citizens advising against traveling to mainland China following recent threats from Beijing to execute residents who support Taiwan's independence.
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan raised concerns during a press conference regarding China's new policy targeting 'separatists' and the announcement of pursuing the death penalty for 'diehard' supporters of Taiwanese independence.
Taiwan's President emphasized that democracy is not a crime and urged China to respect the rights of Taiwan's people and engage in dialogue with the democratically elected government of Taiwan.
China's claim over Taiwan as its territory has led to escalating tensions, with Chinese President Xi Jinping previously threatening to take the island by force. The recent threat of execution by China was clarified to apply only to a small number of Taiwanese independence supporters.
The strained relations between Taipei and Beijing have been further exacerbated by China's military drills near Taiwan, often seen as acts of intimidation following events involving the U.S. and Taiwan.
In response to the escalating tensions, the U.S. approved a significant arms sale to Taiwan, including drones, missiles, and other equipment, prompting further reactions from China.
The latest developments underscore the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and the ongoing challenges faced by Taiwan in asserting its sovereignty amidst pressure from China.
