On May 7, 2024, multiple political and civilian groups in the Taiwan island start an activity to urge the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to adhere to the one-China principle. Photo: Courtesy to Wang Wu-lang

Mainland authorities continued to send a strong signal of deterrence to "Taiwan independence" separatists and further clarified that the recently released guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard separatists for conducting or inciting secession do not target or involve the general populace on the island. 

The response from the mainland is a refute to the DPP authorities' tactics of intimidating and misleading the public by broadening the interpretation of the guidelines. 

The guidelines do not target or involve the general populace on the island, and if "Taiwan independence" separatists voluntarily abandon their stance and cease activities advocating for "Taiwan independence," and take measures to mitigate or eliminate harmful consequences or prevent further harm, they may be exempt from some or all criminal liability in accordance with relevant laws, Zhu Fenglian, a State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

Chinese authorities on Friday issued the guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession, which allow the death penalty and a trial in absentia in relevant cases. It also stipulates that those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institutions, organizations or individuals in committing such crimes should be handed a harsher punishment.

After the release of the guidelines, both the DPP authorities and the US have taken an opposing stance. Experts said their actions indicate that those measures have struck their sore points and key areas, noting that every time the US interferes in the Taiwan question, the mainland will counteract these efforts, further reducing the space for "Taiwan independence" activities. 

Also, the Fujian Coast Guard carried out regular law enforcement patrols in the waters near Kinmen on Tuesday. Since June, the Fujian Coast Guard has organized a fleet of warships to continuously strengthen law enforcement patrols in the waters near Kinmen to earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese fishermen, including those on the island of Taiwan.

DPP authorities are now intimidating and misleading the public, broadening the interpretation of the guidelines, and expanding the scope to suggest that the guidelines target everyone, "which is a tactic to muddy the waters," Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

The guidelines are very clear, with the core term being "Taiwan independence" diehards. They do not target all DPP members or even those who vote for the DPP, as they do not meet the criteria for being "Taiwan independence" diehards, Zheng noted. 

"Even if you are a 'Taiwan independence' diehard who meets the criteria for sentencing, as long as you abandon your stance and take actions to mitigate harm, such as showing remorse, you may receive a reduced sentence," the expert said. 

In fact, the DPP's broad interpretation of the guidelines and expansion of the scope to all people in Taiwan are actually a tactic in cognitive warfare, Zheng added. 

In response to the US State Department's latest condemnation of the guidelines, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China deplores and strongly opposes the remarks made by the US. 

"Every sovereign state has the sacred right to safeguard its national unity and territorial integrity. It is a universal practice to punish secessionists and safeguard the core interests of the country through criminal jurisdiction," the spokesperson said. 

"Every time the US interferes or challenges us [on the Taiwan question], we will further counteract these efforts politically, legally, militarily, and diplomatically. This approach will eventually make the space for 'Taiwan independence' smaller and smaller, reducing Washington's ability to manipulate the situation," Zheng said. 

According to video footage released by the China Coast Guard (CCG), in response to warnings from the Fujian Coast Guard, ships belonging to Taiwan's "coast guard" collectively turned around, deviating from their routes and displaying erratic navigation patterns. 

Some media in Taiwan reported that four CCG ships entered the waters near Kinmen on Tuesday morning, coming as close as five nautical miles to Jinhu in Kinmen, which was the closest approach in history. 

"The four mainland coast guard vessels patrolling the relevant area have had a strong deterrent effect," Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert and media commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

Deploying four coast guard vessels in the waters around Kinmen is intended to maximize the safety of our fishermen's normal operations. "Meanwhile, we are prepared to respond adequately to any potential provocations from the island," Wei said. 

Also, patrolling within five nautical miles means getting very close. In these areas, China has its own mission range and will choose patrol and law enforcement positions based on the actual needs of the situation, the expert said, noting that the autonomy and initiative of these missions are in the hands of the mainland coast guard.

"The entire Taiwan region is Chinese territory, and there are no so-called restricted waters," said Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert.

The CCG can enter these waters at any time to conduct law enforcement patrols, uphold national sovereignty and maritime rights, maintain order and safety in the waters around Kinmen and Xiamen, and protect the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, Zhang said. 

Considered the reaction of Taiwan ships that collectively turned around following the mainland's coast guard's warning, some experts noted that the latest strong and determined actions by the CCG in the South China Sea also create a deterrent effect in the waters around Kinmen, serving as a testament to China's achievements in enforcement.