Scholars call for fight against separatism
China DailyThe Chinese mainland's recent move to criminally punish "Taiwan independence" separatists displays its resolve and ability to promote the reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, experts say. Qiu Kaiming, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Taiwan's new leader, Lai Ching-te, has persistently advocated "independence" since taking office, fostering cross-Strait confrontation, obstructing exchanges and attempting to seek "independence" through military means and the use of foreign forces. Mainland authorities released a set of guidelines in June on imposing criminal penalties on staunch supporters of "Taiwan independence" for engaging in or inciting separatist activities, with trial in absentia permitted when necessary. Yang Kai-huang, a cross-Strait relations expert at Taiwan-based Ming Chuan University, said that the recent measures are an escalation of legal deterrence against politicians seeking "Taiwan independence".