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

Both the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office and China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) have added a special column to their official websites which list the names of diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists, a notable change indicating the Chinese mainland's high attention to lawfully punishing diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists, serving as another warning to these stubborn individuals. 

A total of 10 diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists including Su Tseng-chang, You Si-kun, Joseph Wu and Hsiao Bi-khim were listed in the special column. 

Apart from the list of the diehard "Taiwan  independence" secessionists, the column of the Taiwan Affairs Office also listed the spokesperson's previous statements, the legal documents including the Anti-Secession Law, and the tip email address for netizens to report secessionists. 

According to analysts, the notable changes on the two departments' websites indicate that the Chinese mainland attaches high attention to lawfully punishing diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists, which serves as another warning to these stubborn individuals. 

The new columns with the names of a small number of diehard "Taiwan independence" secessionists listed serve both as a deterrent and as a clear message that the criminal justice measures are aimed at a small number of diehard individuals who engage in or incite secession activities, and do not target the majority of Taiwan compatriots, analysts said. 

Chinese authorities issued in June this year a set of guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession, which allows the death penalty and a trial in absentia in relevant cases and stipulates that those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institution, organization or individual in committing such crimes should be given a harsher punishment, according to some media reports. 

Global Times