Taiwan has raised its travel warning for China, advising its citizens to avoid visiting unless absolutely necessary following Beijing’s recent threat to execute “diehard” Taiwan independence supporters, Reuters reports.
China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has labeled Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te a “separatist” and conducted war games after he took office. Last week, China announced legal guidelines threatening extreme penalties, including execution, for Taiwan independence advocates. This escalation drew condemnation from Taiwan, the US, and increased safety concerns for Taiwanese visitors to China.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh emphasized the travel warning aims to protect Taiwanese citizens and highlight the risks without imposing a travel ban. China claims the guidelines target a small group of independence “diehards.”
President Lai has offered to engage in talks with China, which Beijing has rejected. He maintains that Taiwan’s future should be decided solely by its people, rejecting China’s sovereignty claims.
