China’s New Laws Threaten Taiwan’s Independence, Says Human Rights Watch

China has issued new legal guidelines that threaten Taiwan’s autonomy. These guidelines label activities related to Taiwanese independence as crimes and authorize trials in absentia and even the death penalty for those asserting Taiwan’s independence, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The HRW report states, “The guidelines regarding Taiwanese separatists are stark reminders that the Chinese government routinely threatens Taiwan and its 23 million inhabitants and has expanded its aggressive efforts to stifle their basic freedoms.”

Previously, China’s 2005 Anti-Secession Law made vague threats against Taiwanese secessionist forces. The new laws, however, specify that any activity related to Taiwanese independence, including establishing an independent Taiwan, setting up a separatist organization, promoting Taiwan’s entrance into international organizations, and deviating from the Chinese narrative of Taiwan in education, culture, history, or news media, is a crime.

Additionally, the guidelines threaten Taiwanese people with trials in absentia, meaning criminal trials without the accused being present in court. The HRW report also mentions that these new guidelines are likely to have a chilling effect on the approximately 150,000 Taiwanese nationals living in China, who may resort to self-censorship.

As a result, Taiwan has raised its alert levels for Taiwanese nationals traveling to China, citing recent cases of arbitrary arrests, detention, and interrogations by China. The HRW concludes, “The new court guidelines are the Chinese government’s latest effort to control people’s right to freedom of expression beyond its borders. Everyone has fundamental rights and freedoms, including those who believe in or advocate for Taiwanese independence.”