China has intensified its legal campaign against proponents of Taiwanese independence, warning of increasingly severe consequences for those pursuing separatist agendas. Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, articulated the government’s position during a Wednesday press briefing, emphasizing that punitive measures would escalate in direct proportion to separatist activities.
The official stated that legal action against hardline Taiwan independence advocates and their accomplices constitutes both a necessary defense of national sovereignty and a protective measure for the interests of citizens across the Taiwan Strait. This development follows the January 7th designation of three Taiwanese officials—Liu Shyh-fang (head of Taiwan’s interior affairs department), Cheng Ying-yao (education department head), and Chen Shu-yi (a prosecutor)—as either diehard separatists or accomplices to separatist activities.
The Democratic Progressive Party subsequently challenged mainland China’s jurisdictional authority over Taiwanese citizens, a position promptly dismissed by Zhu. She reaffirmed Beijing’s longstanding position that Taiwan remains an inalienable part of Chinese territory, asserting that any actions endangering national sovereignty would incur legal consequences under Chinese law.
Zhu characterized the targeted individuals as having undermined national unity, damaged cross-strait relations, and compromised the welfare of compatriots. She indicated that those pursuing Taiwan independence faced inevitable legal accountability and historical disgrace, describing China’s approach as operating through legal channels with unwavering determination.
The spokeswoman specifically addressed comments by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, who had expressed pride regarding the designated officials. Zhu warned that as separatists grow more assertive in their pursuit of what she termed a ‘dead-end path,’ corresponding countermeasures would intensify, ultimately leading to what she described as ‘the judgment of justice and a disgraced downfall.’