China has assured Taiwanese citizens that they can visit the mainland without concerns and should come “in high spirits,” despite recent threats from Beijing to execute “diehard” separatists. This statement follows Taiwan’s government raising its travel warning for China, advising citizens to avoid travel unless necessary due to new Chinese legal guidelines that threaten prosecution and, in extreme cases, the death penalty for those advocating Taiwan independence.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated that these guidelines target only a small number of separatists and their “evil words and actions,” criticizing Taiwan for allegedly trying to intimidate its citizens for political purposes. The office emphasized that most Taiwanese can freely participate in cross-strait exchanges and travel without worry.
Despite Beijing’s claim over Taiwan, Chinese courts lack jurisdiction in Taiwan, making enforcement of any legal judgments uncertain. Taiwan’s travel warning also extends to Hong Kong and Macau.
China has shown strong opposition to Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a “separatist.” After Lai took office, China conducted war games and frequently sends military aircraft and ships near Taiwan. Lai has offered to engage in talks with China, but Beijing has consistently rejected these overtures, maintaining that any move by Taiwan to declare formal independence would provoke a military response. Taiwan’s government asserts that it is already an independent country, the Republic of China, and has no plans to alter this status.
