Punishment of Taiwan officials inciting confrontations safeguards sovereignty

Punishing the stubborn secessionists who engage in seeking "Taiwan independence" is necessary to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, and ensure the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday.

"We have zero tolerance for acts that blatantly challenge the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," office spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said, adding that "those who dare to test the law will be punished according to the law."

Measures to punish Taiwan secessionists on a blacklist drawn up by the Chinese mainland were released by the office last week. They included a mainland travel ban and restrictions on companies related to them that have business on the mainland.

The office named three Taiwan officials on the blacklist: Su Tseng-chang, head of Taiwan's executive body; Yu Shyi-kun, who is in charge of the local "legislature" in Taiwan; and Joseph Wu Jau-shieh, the island's leader of external affairs.

They have been inciting confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, undermining cross-Straits relations, plotting to split the country and undermining peace across the Straits, Zhu said, adding that "they can't get away with what they did."

Taiwan's mainland affairs authority said it would consider taking countermeasures.

When asked if there would be a follow-up list, Zhu said Taiwan secessionists include those who organize, plot and carry out acts to split the country and undermine national unity.

They seek independence by colluding with foreign forces and making "constitutional amendments" on the island, she said, adding that they and their financial backers will be punished in accordance with the law.

The punitive measures include banning the Taiwan secessionists and their families from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, the office said.

Organizations related to them will be restricted from cooperating with organizations and individuals on the mainland, and enterprises related to them and their financial backers are not allowed to make profits on the mainland, it said.

The mainland will pursue criminal responsibility for the secessionists and they will be held accountable for life, it added.

Responding to concerns about whether the move will affect Taiwan investment on the mainland and economic exchanges across the Straits, Zhu said that it will help promote normal economic exchanges and protect the legitimate rights of Taiwan residents.