Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che has called for strict limitations on religious exchanges initiated by Chinese organizations. He believes these exchanges align with the Chinese Communist Party's political agenda, effectively removing religious freedom in China. Lee's comments follow the detention of three elderly Taiwanese members of the I-Kuan Tao religious group in China since October. Despite calls for their release, China has not responded, raising concerns about travel risks for Taiwanese citizens and the potential halt of cross-strait religious exchanges.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Chen Binhua stated that the three individuals were arrested under Chinese law and assured that their legal rights would be protected. However, Chen accused Taiwan's DPP government of political manipulation. Lee Ming-che, who was previously imprisoned in China, was released in 2022.
On December 13, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged China to release the detained Taiwanese members of the I-Kuan Tao group. The MAC emphasized the need for China to ensure the legal rights and safety of these individuals. The council also highlighted China's attempts to infiltrate Taiwan under the guise of religious interaction, urging Taiwanese citizens to reconsider traveling to China due to the lack of religious freedom.
The three detained individuals, identified by their last names Chou, Chiang, and Hsieh, were arrested in Guangdong on charges of organizing and practicing as members of a cult, according to Chinese authorities.
A Taiwanese activist is someone from Taiwan who works to bring about social or political change. In this case, Lee Ming-che is working to protect human rights.
Lee Ming-che is a person from Taiwan who is known for his work in promoting human rights and freedom. He has been involved in activities that support democracy and human rights.
These are interactions or activities between religious groups in China and other countries, like Taiwan. They can involve sharing religious ideas, practices, or visits between the two places.
The Chinese Communist Party is the ruling political party in China. It makes important decisions about how the country is run and has a lot of influence over various aspects of life in China.
I-Kuan Tao is a religious movement that originated in China and has followers in Taiwan and other countries. It combines elements from different religions like Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
The Mainland Affairs Council is a government agency in Taiwan that deals with issues related to China. It helps manage the relationship between Taiwan and China.
The Taiwan Affairs Office is a part of the Chinese government that handles matters related to Taiwan. It works on policies and communication between China and Taiwan.
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