Mainland sanctions Taiwan officials, warns separatists

Chinese mainland authorities named two senior officials from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party as die-hard "Taiwan independence" separatists on Wednesday and labeled a Taiwan prosecutor as an accomplice, saying that they will face lifelong legal accountability.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a news conference that Liu Shih-fang, head of Taiwan's so-called "interior affairs department", and Cheng Ying-yao, head of the island's "education department", were added to a mainland list of people accused of pushing "Taiwan independence".

Chen accused Liu and Cheng of promoting separatist ideas that go against mainstream public opinion. He said that authorities had received reports from compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait calling for the two officials to be punished.

The spokesman said that Liu has blatantly propagated "Taiwan independence" rhetoric and has restricted people in Taiwan who support or take part in exchanges with the mainland, including mainland-born spouses living on the island.

Chen said that Cheng, who oversees the island's education policy, has brazenly peddled provocative rhetoric advocating "Taiwan independence" and has organized the compilation of "Taiwan independence" teaching materials, which he said have had a negative impact on young people in Taiwan.

The spokesman criticized both officials for persistent and extreme actions aimed at dividing the country, stirring confrontation, disrupting cross-Strait exchanges and harming the interests of people on both sides.

Under mainland laws, sanctions have been imposed on Liu and Cheng. They and their family members are barred from entering the mainland, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. Organizations affiliated with them are also banned from doing business on the mainland or cooperating with mainland entities.

The spokesman also announced that Chen Shu-yi, a prosecutor at Taiwan's so-called "high prosecutors office", had been listed as an accomplice to "Taiwan independence" activities, and she would be held legally responsible for life.

He accused the prosecutor of fabricating cases, making false accusations and targeting people in Taiwan who support cross-Strait exchanges. He said such actions were intended to intimidate the public and create a "climate of fear".

The spokesman also encouraged people from both the mainland and Taiwan to provide information and evidence related to the alleged illegal activities of those named.

So far, the mainland has identified 14 individuals as die-hard "Taiwan independence" separatists, including Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's deputy leader, and Koo Li-hsiung, head of the island's "defense department". It has also listed 12 people as accomplices of "Taiwan independence" secessionists.

"Any 'Taiwan independence' separatist who breaks the law, no matter where they are, will face all necessary measures and will be held accountable for life," the spokesman said.

He also responded to a recent proposal by DPP lawmakers to amend Taiwan's law governing relations with the mainland. He said the "red line" must not be crossed, and he accused the DPP authorities of escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

The proposal, which reportedly has been withdrawn, sought to redefine cross-Strait relations as relations between "Taiwan and the People's Republic of China" and to remove the words "before national reunification" from the Taiwan law.

Citing China's Anti-Secession Law, the spokesman said the mainland would not tolerate what it calls "de jure independence", warning that those who challenge the law will face serious consequences.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn