China's rhetoric turns dangerously real for Taiwanese

In recent times, the younger generation in Taiwan has increasingly begun to view their identity as distinct from that of China. A supporter of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was seen at a parliamentary session on May 24, 2024, with a sticker on her face that read 'Defense Democracy, stand guard Taiwan. ' This moment highlights the growing sentiment among Taiwanese people as they face a concerning shift in China's rhetoric towards Taiwan. Beijing has issued stern warnings against what it calls 'die-hard' Taiwanese secessionists, proposing a tipline for reporting such individuals and suggesting severe punishments, including the death penalty for those deemed to be ringleaders. This rhetoric is becoming alarmingly real for many Taiwanese citizens. The island, which operates under a democratic government, has grown accustomed to China's claims over it. However, the recent moves to criminalize support for Taiwanese independence have left many feeling anxious and uncertain about their safety. A Taiwanese businesswoman living in China expressed her concerns, stating, 'I am currently planning to speed up my departure. ' This statement came shortly after the Supreme Court in China introduced changes that could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty for those advocating for Taiwanese independence. The legal landscape has become murky, and many are left wondering what actions might be considered dangerous. Professor Chen Yu-Jie, a legal scholar at Taiwan's Academia Sinica, remarked, 'I don’t think that is making a mountain out of a molehill. The line is now very unclear. ' In response to these developments, China's Taiwan Affairs Office attempted to reassure the 23 million Taiwanese citizens, claiming that the new measures are not aimed at the general population but rather at a 'very small number of hard-line independence activists. ' They insisted that the 'vast majority of Taiwanese compatriots have nothing to fear. ' However, many Taiwanese remain skeptical and do not wish to test this assertion. The BBC has spoken to several Taiwanese individuals residing in China who indicated that they were either planning to leave soon or had already made the decision to depart. Most were reluctant to speak on the record, fearing repercussions. The businesswoman mentioned that any statement made could be misinterpreted, leading to potential reporting. Even before the introduction of these new laws, there was already a culture of encouraging people to report on others. This was further solidified last week when Chinese authorities launched a website that identifies Taiwanese public figures labeled as 'die-hard' separatists. The site provides an email address for individuals to submit 'clues and crimes' about those named or anyone else they suspect. This has heightened the sense of unease among Taiwanese citizens. Scholars believe that Beijing aims to replicate the success of Hong Kong's national security laws, which were justified as necessary for stability but effectively crushed the city's pro-democracy movement. By framing pro-Taiwanese sentiments as a matter of national security, Beijing hopes to sever the movement's connections with the outside world and create divisions within Taiwanese society between those who support independence and those who do not. Professor Chen suggests that the guidance from the Supreme Court will likely lead to prosecutions of some Taiwanese individuals living in China. She stated, 'This opinion has been sent to all levels of law enforcement nationwide. So this is a way of saying to them – we want to see more cases like this being prosecuted, so go and find one. ' The atmosphere in Taiwan is tense, especially for those living in regions like Macau. A Taiwanese man based in Macau shared that he has always been cautious, but the new legal guidance has made his friends express concern for his future. He noted that patriotic education has become more prevalent in Macau, leading to a more tense environment compared to pre-pandemic times. Taiwan, which has strong allies in the United States, the European Union, and Japan, firmly rejects Beijing's plans for 'reunification. ' However, there are growing fears that China's President Xi Jinping has accelerated the timeline for taking control of the island, a long-standing goal of the Chinese Communist Party. For over three decades, Taiwanese companies such as Foxconn, TSMC, and Acer have played a significant role in China's economic growth. This prosperity has attracted many Taiwanese individuals seeking better job opportunities. Zoe Chu, who spent over a decade in Shanghai managing foreign musicians, fondly recalls her time there, stating, 'I absolutely loved Shanghai when I first moved there. ' However, by 2022, the number of Taiwanese living in China had drastically decreased from over 400,000 in 2009 to just 177,000. Zoe left Shanghai in 2019, feeling that the environment had changed and it was no longer safe for her. She now works for a medical company in Taipei and has no intention of returning to China. The decline in Taiwanese residents in China can be attributed to various factors, including a sluggish economy and increasing fears for personal safety. Taiwanese individuals in China feel particularly vulnerable because the government does not classify them as 'foreigners,' making them susceptible to state repression. Senior Taiwanese officials have reported that 15 Taiwanese nationals are currently detained in China for various alleged crimes, including violations of the anti-secession law. One individual was arrested for espionage after being accused of taking photos of police officers, a charge he denied, and was only released last year. Another person remains in custody for 'endangering national security. ' Amy Hsu, who once lived and worked in China, now feels too afraid to visit due to her job. After returning to Taiwan, she began volunteering at an NGO that assists individuals fleeing from Hong Kong. She expressed her concerns, stating, 'It is definitely more dangerous for me now. ' The extensive surveillance in China has also raised alarms, as it can be used to target visitors, especially those on a list of potential offenders. Robert Tsao, a 77-year-old tech billionaire, humorously remarked that he is likely on a list due to his strong pro-independence stance. He has avoided not only China but also Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, and even Singapore. Tsao, who was once a supporter of investment in China, has changed his perspective after witnessing the crackdown in Hong Kong. He believes that the new ruling will only strengthen the resolve of Taiwanese people to resist China, stating, 'They say the new law will only affect a few hard-line independence supporters like me, but so many Taiwanese people either support independence or the status quo, which is the same thing, so we have all become criminals.