To Counter Cases Fabricated Under China's Law on Ethnic Unity, MAC to Strengthen Review of Cross-Strait Exchanges

(CNA) - July 2, 2024) - China's "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" has taken effect. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today that it has anticipated the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will use this law to fabricate cases, and the government must respond and warn in advance. Moving forward, the MAC will strengthen the review of cross-Strait exchange cases, denying permits for those with suspected united front activities. It will also study amendments or new legislation to counter cross-border suppression and ban perpetrators from entering Taiwan.

China implemented the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" starting July 1, asserting that the cause of ethnic unity must be led by the Chinese Communist Party and that overseas organizations and individuals can be held accountable.

At a press conference following the Executive Yuan meeting, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih relayed that Premier Cho Jung-tai stated at the meeting that in recent years, China has continuously enacted legal tools with extraterritorial jurisdiction and sanction effects, including the Anti-Secession Law, the Anti-Espionage Law, and the "22 Articles for Punishing Independence," among others. The "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" further institutionalizes and legalizes cross-border suppression and oppression, reflecting the nature of China's authoritarian rule.

Cho Jung-tai said that the Executive Yuan, following President Lai Ching-te's instructions, will respond from three aspects: prevention, protection, and counteraction. He has asked Ministers of State Ma Yung-cheng and Lin Ming-hsin to oversee the establishment of an Executive Yuan-level "Cross-Agency Coordination Platform for Cross-Border Suppression" to integrate the efforts of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the MAC to fully protect citizens' safety. He also requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant ministries to continue expanding cooperation with allied nations to jointly counter China's unreasonable actions.

Cho Jung-tai pointed out that China is gradually shifting its legal warfare against Taiwan from "using business to coerce politics" to "using law to promote unification." In the future, it will inevitably use various legal tools to increase political pressure on Taiwanese people, businesses, organizations, and youth exchange activities. This will pose a higher threat to individuals who are simply engaged in cross-Strait exchange activities. The CCP's ultimate goal is to annex Taiwan and eliminate the Republic of China, but Taiwan will remain steadfast in standing with like-minded countries, upholding the universal values of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and freedom.

Regarding the three-pronged response measures, the MAC stated that in terms of prevention, it will strengthen public literacy and civil servant education and training, enhance the screening of personnel traveling to the mainland, and strengthen the review of cross-Strait exchange cases, denying permits for those with suspected united front activities. In terms of countering cross-border suppression, it will study amendments or new legislation to strengthen entry controls and ban perpetrators from entering Taiwan. Additionally, it will plan and improve assistance and protection mechanisms, including a dedicated reporting hotline, assistance with personal data changes for data breaches, free psychological counseling, support for family members in mainland China to return to Taiwan for schooling, and overseas care services.

When asked about the direction of legislative amendments or the establishment of special laws for counteraction, and whether a blacklist of perpetrators banned from entering Taiwan would be published, similar to China's approach, MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh said that national security-related laws are currently difficult to pass in the Legislative Yuan, and even review is challenging. Legislative amendments are being considered, but for now, preparations will be made using all available resources within the existing legal framework. Furthermore, the government will not publish a blacklist, but mainland Chinese individuals entering Taiwan are currently subject to review, and there are established review standards.

When asked about whether countries with which China has signed judicial cooperation or extradition agreements would be disclosed, Liang Wen-chieh said that the CCP essentially regards the "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" as quasi-constitutional, and has anticipated that the CCP will use this law to initiate cases. Therefore, the government must respond in advance and issue warnings. Currently, a cross-agency platform is being established to construct counteraction and assistance mechanisms, and specific proposals will be announced if developed.

Lin Shih-hsin, Deputy Director of the Department of Policy Research and Analysis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been continuously tracking and updating the scope of application and actual implementation of relevant extradition agreements. It will also closely monitor related developments and provide timely reminders to the public about risks and necessary assistance. When traveling abroad, citizens should pay close attention to relevant laws and regulations and potential risks, and can also check the Bureau of Consular Affairs website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for travel advisories. (Edited by Lin Shu-yuan) 1150702

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