Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has been deemed a “dangerous separatist” by the Chinese Communist Party. China has long-stated its desire for “peaceful unification” with Taiwan, which the CCP considers part of China. China issued new guidelines on lethal ramifications for separatist sentiments, leading to louder retaliation from Ching-te.
Xinhua news agency, operated by the CCP, ran a story last Friday to declare that China will not tolerate any calls for a separate nation. “Secessionist organizations” or direct people to “carry out activities that split the state” will be targeted as terrorists. China announced it would “severely punish Taiwan independence die-hards for splitting the country and inciting secession crimes in accordance with the law, and resolutely defend national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.” “Ringleaders,” including Taiwan’s president who the CCP does not acknowledge as having any authority, “cause particularly serious harm to the state and the people” and could face execution.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te responded by saying China’s autocracy is “evil” and he will not stop calls to remove China’s stronghold on the nation. “I want to stress: democracy is not a crime; it’s autocracy that is the real evil. China has absolutely no right to sanction Taiwan’s people just because of the positions they hold. What’s more, China has no right to go after Taiwan people’s rights across borders,” he said. Ching-te wishes to hold discussions with Beijing but has been warned any move to declare independence would be seen as an act of war.
Taiwan can speak out against China now that it has powerful allies, such as the United States, which is eager to wage a new war. This particular issue has not been taken lightly by the CCP, which will undoubtedly wage war if its perceived territory is compromised. On the other hand, Neocons like Blinken have pledged unwavering support for Taiwan seemingly out of nowhere. It is a matter of time before one side, likely the West, uses a perceived act of war to fire the first shot.
