Mainland vows stringent countermeasures against diehard Taiwan separatists

The more frenzied "Taiwan independence" separatists become as they head down a dead-end path, the stronger the countermeasures against them will be, a Chinese mainland spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference that punishing diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists and their accomplices in accordance with the law is a necessary step to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a just action to protect the shared interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

On Jan 7, Liu Shyh-fang, head of Taiwan's "interior affairs department", and Cheng Ying-yao, head of the island's "education department", were added to the mainland's list of diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists. Chen Shu-yi, a prosecutor with Taiwan's "high prosecutors office", was listed as an accomplice to "Taiwan independence" separatist activities.

Following the announcement, the Democratic Progressive Party claimed that "the mainland has no jurisdiction over the people of Taiwan".

In response, Zhu stated that Taiwan is part of China, and anyone who endangers the country's sovereignty, security, or development interests will face punishment under national law.

She noted that diehard separatists and their accomplices have undermined national unity, damaged cross-Strait relations, and harmed the interests and well-being of compatriots, and that being punished in accordance with the law and held accountable for life is the result of their own actions.

"We act in the name of justice and in accordance with the law, and will show no leniency or mercy," Zhu said.

Responding to remarks by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, who said he was "proud" of those named, Zhu said that as "Taiwan independence" separatists grow more frenzied on their dead-end path, countermeasures against them will only intensify. "What awaits them will be the judgment of justice and a disgraced downfall," she added.