China imposed sanctions on seven Taiwanese officials and lawmakers in response to their advocacy of Taiwanese independence, for which Beijing chastised them.
The measures, which include entry restrictions and financial fines, come as a direct response to high-profile visits made by a congressional delegation from the United States this week.
It also follows a visit from a delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier in the month.
Dedication and Steadfastness of Taiwan
A spokesman for the Taiwan Work Office of the ruling Communist Party told the Chinese state-run news agency, Xinhua, that “a few hardcore separatist components have taken lengths to conspire with external pressures in provocative actions advocating Taiwan independence.”
China sets sanctions on Taiwan figures to punish US, island https://t.co/STYYbNnuVV pic.twitter.com/RaQ46wphHu
— The Hill (@thehill) August 16, 2022
The spokesperson also stated their actions became even more despicable during the visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. He said their actions, at the time, further exposed their unyielding nature in their pursuit of Taiwan’s independence.
According to Reuters, lawmakers Ker Chien-ming, Tsai Chi-chang, Koo Li-hsiung, Chen Jiau-hua, and Wang Ting-yu were penalized as a result of the most recent round of sanctions.
Both activist Lin Fei-fan and Bi-khim Hsiao, who fills a position analogous to that of ambassadors to the United States, were on the sanctions list.
The seven officials will be barred from going to the mainland of China, as well as Hong Kong and Macao, as part of the punishment.
According to Reuters, China imposed sanctions on a number of other Taiwanese government leaders in 2021, including the head of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, You Si-kun, as well as the Premier, Su Tseng-chang.
#Latest China will definitely impose sanctions as a countermeasure on US lawmakers who are visiting Taiwan island, as the country has always been firmly opposed to any collusion between the US and Taiwan secessionists: experts pic.twitter.com/exSEJkTBb8
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) August 14, 2022
Military Exercises and More US Delegates
China made the announcement of more military maneuvers to take place near Taiwan on Monday. This is the same day Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen met with a congressional delegation from the United States that had arrived in Taipei the day before.
In addition to Senator Ed Markey, the delegation included Representative Alan Lowenthal, Representative John Garamendi, Representative Del. Aumua Amata, and Representative Don Beyer.
According to reports from CNN, the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan disclosed on Monday that the Chinese military sent approximately 30 warplanes and five boats through the Taiwan Strait.
Despite Taiwan’s assertions that it has its own constitution, currency, and military, China has, for a long time, continued to assert its sovereignty over the island.
China has been irritated by a number of visits by foreign leaders, notably that of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Earlier this month, Pelosi was the highest-ranking official from the United States to visit Taiwan in more than 20 years.
The possibility of China now seizing control of the island through the use of armed force has not been dismissed by either China or the Taiwan government.
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
