China Threatens Death Penalty For Tough Taiwanese Separatists

UNSPLASH/YoHA Lee ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - China has threatened to impose the death penalty in extreme cases for Taiwan's "hard-headed" independence separatist group even though the Chinese court does not have jurisdiction over the democratically-ruled island.

China, which calls Taiwan its own territory, expressed its dislike for President Lai Ching-te, who took office last month, saying Lai was a separatist', and had carried out war exercises shortly after his inauguration.

The new guidelines state that the courts, prosecutors, public security agencies and the Chinese state must "persecut severely the perpetrators of Taiwan's independence for dividing the country and inciting the crime of secession in accordance with the law, and firmly defending national sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity", said a Chinese statement.

The guidelines were issued in accordance with existing laws, including the 2005 anti-successive law, Xinhua said.

The law provides Chian with a legal basis for carrying out military action against Taiwan if it separates or appears to be separating.

Sun Ping, China's Ministry of Public Security official, told reporters in Beijingm the maximum penalty for "separation crimes" was the death penalty.

"A sharp field of law enforcement will always hang high," he said.

There has been no immediate response from the Taiwanese government. An official told Reuters they were still digesting the contents of the new guidelines.

Lai has repeatedly offered to hold talks with China but was rejected. He said only the Taiwanese could determine their future.

China has taken legal action against Taiwanese officials before, including imposing sanctions ontensive Bi-khim, a former Taiwanese de facto ambassador to the United States and is now Taiwan's vice president.

Such penalties have a small practical impact because Chinese courts do not have jurisdictions in Taiwan, whose governments reject Beijing's claim to sovereignty.