In a significant escalation of rhetoric toward Taiwan, Chinese mainland authorities have issued a stark warning that increased separatist activities will be met with intensified countermeasures. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, delivered the unambiguous message during a Wednesday press briefing in Beijing.
The spokesperson’s comments came specifically in response to media inquiries about recent additions to China’s official list of hardened ‘Taiwan independence’ secessionists. Zhu emphatically reiterated Beijing’s longstanding position that ‘Taiwan is China’s Taiwan,’ leaving no ambiguity about the central government’s stance on territorial integrity.
Notably, the warning included a specific mechanism of enforcement: those pursuing separatist agendas and undermining cross-Strait relations will face permanent legal consequences. The spokesperson indicated that authorities would employ ‘all necessary measures’ to punish such activities, with accountability extending throughout the offenders’ lifetimes according to Chinese law.
This development represents the latest in a series of increasingly firm statements from Beijing regarding Taiwan, reflecting growing concerns about separatist movements and the potential responses they might provoke. The language suggests a hardening position that could have significant implications for cross-Strait relations and regional stability in the coming months.