EDITORIAL | China Anti-Secession Law Targets Not Only Taiwan Citizens

Several citizens of Taiwan have recently been taken into custody by the authorities in China. They are accused of violating China's Anti-Secession Law, which makes activities on behalf of Taiwan independence illegal. Authorities in Taiwan say that at least 15 Taiwanese have been so detained in recent years. 

According to the Japanese government, several Japanese have likewise been detained. Chinese authorities are holding them on suspicion of committing espionage.

Earlier this July a Taiwanese fishing boat was seized and its crew detained by a China Coast Guard in waters near Kinmen Island. Kinmen is a small island off the coast of China that is under the effective control of Taiwan. We resolutely oppose such arbitrary applications of Chinese law and its arbitrary detention of these individuals. 

China Flexes Its 'Anti-Secession Law' 

China's Anti-Secession Law was adopted in 2005 with the professed goal of opposing and preventing acts to promote the splitting of China by Taiwanese independence activists. At the end of June 2024, the Chinese government announced new punishment guidelines. It now calls for the application of the death penalty as the maximum penalty for Taiwan independence activists. 

Taiwan authorities have pointed out that the definition of "Taiwan independence advocates" is so vague that "it could be applied to nearly every Taiwanese." 

In the days to come, will China increase arbitrary enforcement of this law through the targeting of Taiwanese individuals? Currently, there are more than one million Taiwanese business professionals and members of their families living in China. Inevitably, more and more of them will come to worry, "Will I be the next person to be taken into custody?" 

Part of China's 'Cognitive War'

That appears to be China's aim. The move is part of Beijing's "cognitive war" to stoke fear among the Taiwanese people. This initiative follows the May 20 inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, whom China considers a supporter of Taiwan independence. Beijing likely hopes that such actions will have a "deterrent effect" by discouraging statements and actions China dislikes. 

Furthermore, there is no guarantee that Taiwanese will not be detained for political reasons in third countries. This is a risk in countries that have extradition treaties with China as well as where China has established "overseas police stations." 

And Taiwanese are not the only people under threat. According to the Taiwan authorities, foreigners who support upgrading Taiwan's international status or strengthening its defense capabilities also stand at risk of being detained by the Chinese authorities.

Japanese Citizens Also Under Threat

This category might well include citizens of Japan, the United States, or other countries that support Taiwan. In the meantime, Taiwan today is being treated unfairly within the international community. And that is due to harassment by China. 

Moreover, the same risks apply to those who wish to aid Taiwan's ability to defend itself from Chinese military pressure. 

In fact, since the Counterespionage Law took effect in 2014, China has arrested at least 17 Japanese on suspicion of spying. 

As a member of the democratic camp, it is also natural that Japan should support Taiwan. We must work with Taiwan and not buckle under Chinese threats to hinder freedom. 

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun