Online column dedicated to protecting Taiwan compatriots

A column dedicated to reporting persecution of Taiwan compatriots by separatists was launched on Wednesday on the official website of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the office, said the column has been introduced in response to the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' frequent fabricated charges to suppress dissent in Taiwan, using threats and intimidation and stifling free speech in the process.

"The DPP authorities have been suppressing and persecuting political opponents, as well as parties, groups and individuals in Taiwan who support peaceful and integrated cross-Strait development," he said.

Chen criticized certain separatist organizations, individuals, public servants and social media influencers for acting as enforcers and accomplices of the DPP authorities, aiding and abetting their misconduct. "We are deeply concerned about these actions and will impose severe punishment for such behavior," he said.

The column has been set up as a floating window on the homepage of the office's website, and relevant reports can be sent to the email address jubao@suremail.cn.

As of 5:00 pm on Wednesday, a total of 323 emails were received, according to Chen.

All reports will be handled properly and individuals against whom there is conclusive evidence of criminal activities will be held accountable in accordance with the law, Chen said, adding that the rights and personal information of those who file such reports will be protected.

Liu Zhenya, a social media influencer from the Chinese mainland, who is also known as Ya Ya in Taiwan, was recently forced by the DPP authorities to leave the island. Liu and her husband, who was born in Taiwan, have three children. On March 15, relevant authorities in Taiwan revoked her residence permit, accusing her of "jeopardizing security and social stability" because of her previous comments on reunification. She was given 10 days to leave the island.

For similar reasons, the spouses of two other Taiwan residents were forced to leave the island and return to the mainland by the end of March.

Chen, the spokesman, said that on the one hand, the DPP authorities call themselves "advocates of freedom, rule of law and human rights", but on the other hand, they "repeatedly abuse judicial measures" to bully cross-Strait families and break them up. "This is unjust, harmful and unethical," he added.

Recently, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te unveiled 17 strategies to counter the Chinese mainland, labeling the mainland as "foreign hostile forces". The strategies include a number of policies restricting mutual visits by Taiwan and mainland residents, as well as restrictions on cultural, academic and religious exchanges.

Lai's strategies go against the will of the people, fully exposing his ugly nature of being against peace, dialogue, democracy and humanity, Chen said, adding that these moves are designed to provoke opposition and confrontation against the mainland while obstructing cross-Strait cooperation.

"Lai is enforcing political terror and autocracy on the island," the spokesman emphasized.

Underscoring that the mainland has been working with Taiwan compatriots to promote peaceful cross-Strait development, achieving significant progress, Chen condemned Lai and the DPP as the destroyers of cross-Strait peace and the creators of crisis in the Strait.

"Equating cross-Strait relations with a hostile relationship is a blatant reversal of history, a reckless provocation against the mainland, and an escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait," Chen said.

Lai's recent acts include obstructing cross-Strait exchanges and tourism resumption, persecuting and suppressing groups and individuals in Taiwan who support and participate in cross-Strait exchanges, using intimidation to stop Taiwan compatriots from applying for mainland identification documents, and banning cooperation with certain mainland universities, Chen said.

Lai and the DPP have been scheming to amend some regulations to suppress political opponents and enforce political terror on the island, Chen said.

The spokesman called on Taiwan compatriots to recognize the serious harm brought by the DPP authorities and oppose their wrongful actions from the perspective of safeguarding their own rights and maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait.

"We hope that Taiwan compatriots will work with us to eliminate interference, remove obstacles, promote exchanges and cooperation, advance cross-Strait relations, and enhance the well-being and interests of people on both sides," he added.