Taipei has reached out to Beijing following the announcement from China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) about individuals designated as "diehard Taiwan independence separatists." In response, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which oversees cross-strait relations, stated on Wednesday that China's actions are unlikely to yield positive results.
Focus Taiwan reported the MAC's assertion that "no matter how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) conducts its investigations, misguided actions will only result in misguided outcomes." The MAC further called on the CCP to change its stance to foster better relations across the Taiwan Strait.
This statement from the MAC came in reaction to remarks made by Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the TAO, which is responsible for cross-strait relations. According to Focus Taiwan, Chen revealed that the TAO had received "hundreds of tips" from individuals on both sides of the Taiwan Strait after establishing a reporting system for "diehard Taiwan independence separatists." He indicated that Chinese government agencies would "thoroughly verify and investigate" these submissions.
The TAO maintains a website listing 12 individuals identified as "diehard Taiwan independence separatists," including Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, businessman Robert Tsao, and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Puma Shen. Chen asserted that "punishing" these individuals is "a just action" aimed at "upholding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as safeguarding the fundamental interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait."
The MAC dismissed the significance of the "Taiwan independence list," asserting that it holds no real importance, regardless of the number of names included.