The Chinese government has assured that most Taiwanese can visit China without concerns and can travel “in high spirits”. This statement came after Taiwan issued a travel warning due to Beijing’s threats to prosecute and possibly execute “diehard” separatists.

Taiwan Raises Travel Warning

Taiwan raised its travel warning for China this week, advising its citizens to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. This warning followed China’s announcement of legal guidelines that threaten prosecution and, in extreme cases, the death penalty for Taiwan independence advocates.

In response, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated that these guidelines target only a small number of separatists and their “evil words and actions.” China considers Taiwan, a democratically governed entity, as part of its territory.

Cross-Strait Relations

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office condemned Taiwan for allegedly intimidating its own people for political purposes. They emphasised that most Taiwanese can engage in cross-strait exchanges and cooperation without fear. According to the office, Taiwanese travellers can “absolutely arrive in high spirits and depart well content.”

China has vowed to pursue Taiwan separatists worldwide, though its courts have no jurisdiction in Taiwan. It remains unclear how China could enforce any legal judgements outside its borders.

Taiwan’s travel warning extends to the Chinese cities of Hong Kong and Macau as well.

Political Tensions and Military Actions

China has consistently expressed its dislike for Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a “separatist”. After Lai took office last month, China conducted two days of war games and frequently sends fighter jets and warships around Taiwan.

President Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but has been rejected. He opposes Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, asserting that only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

China has warned that any move by Taiwan to declare formal independence would be grounds for military action. The government in Taipei maintains that Taiwan is already an independent country, the Republic of China, and has no plans to change that status. The Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the civil war to Mao Zedong’s Communists.

With inputs from Reuters