Mainland's right of jurisdiction

20 fraud suspects from Taiwan arrive in Taoyuan airport in Taiwan on Friday, April 15, 2016 after being deported from Malaysia. [Photo/IC]

Kenya's recent repatriation to the Chinese mainland of 45 telecommunication fraud suspects from Taiwan has triggered a fierce outcry across the island, with some, including "president-elect" Tsai Ing-wen, arguing "the mainland has no right to handle the repatriation case on behalf of Taiwan", and others asking for "the most solemn protest to be filed".

However, following Taiwan judiciary's recognition of the mainland's right of jurisdiction over the case, the outcry has subsided, with some suggesting that "since Taiwan cannot properly handle the fraud case, it should transfer it to the mainland".

Some on the island have attempted to interpret the case as the mainland trying to dwarf Taiwan and used it as an opportunity to manipulate public opinion. But given that most of victims are mainland residents, the mainland enjoys the right of jurisdiction over the case.

Others have argued that since the mainland has sent a total of 446 Taiwan suspects to the island over the past six years under a pact to jointly fight crimes and promote judicial assistance, it can also send the fraud suspects to the island. In saying this, they have ignored the fact that Taiwan has failed to offer evidence that these suspects were already declared fugitives.

Those convicted of telecom fraud have a record of being given lenient punishments in Taiwan, with less than 10 percent returned to the island having been extended criminal penalties. The weak punishments have caused more and more people to engage in such illegal activities. Accompanying the booming telecom fraud sector on the island are the huge economic losses sustained by families and enterprises on the other side of the Straits.

Any attempt to politicize the case will only set up barriers to cross-Straits exchanges and alienate the island from the mainland.--Beijing News