China Bans Taiwanese Nationals from Leaving Amid Rising Tensions
Beijing has imposed travel bans on Taiwanese nationals within China, causing concerns amid heightened tensions between the two countries. A senior executive from Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Group was questioned by Chinese authorities and banned from leaving China after arriving in Shanghai from Taipei.
This incident has raised alarms among Taiwanese businesses, with experts suggesting it could lead to more companies exiting China to protect their interests. Wang Kuo-Chen, an economist at the Chung-Hua Institute for Economic Research, noted that some Taiwanese businesses had already started reducing their operations in China, and this case could accelerate that trend.
The Formosa Plastics Group is actively seeking more information on the case and has pledged to provide necessary assistance to the affected individual. Political and financial analysts have compared this case to other instances where Beijing has used its political power to pressure Taiwanese or foreign business individuals.
In a similar incident, a 22-year-old Taiwanese man went missing in China after arriving in Shanghai, prompting his family to seek help from the Taiwanese government. Additionally, a Taiwanese political activist was sentenced to nine years in jail under secession charges by a court in Wenzhou.
Foreign nationals have also faced difficulties in leaving China. According to the Duihua Foundation, around 200 Americans are held under coercive measures in China, with more than 30 banned from leaving the country. Since the enactment of China’s anti-espionage law in 2015, at least 17 Japanese citizens have been detained on spying charges, with five still in detention as of November 2023.
Doubts Revealed
China -: China is a large country in East Asia, known for its rich history and being the most populous country in the world.
Taiwanese Nationals -: Taiwanese nationals are people who come from Taiwan, an island near China that has its own government.
Tensions -: Tensions mean that there are problems or conflicts between two groups or countries, making the situation stressful or difficult.
Formosa Plastics Group -: Formosa Plastics Group is a big company from Taiwan that makes plastic products and other materials.
Experts -: Experts are people who know a lot about a particular subject and can give advice or opinions on it.
Foreign Nationals -: Foreign nationals are people who come from other countries, not the one they are currently in.
Americans -: Americans are people who come from the United States of America.
Japanese -: Japanese are people who come from Japan, a country in East Asia.