Mainland China's "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" will come into effect on July 1. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated on the 25th that the law is vague in concept, lacks clear definitions, and is intended for intimidation and threat; whether or not this law exists, the risks for Taiwanese people traveling to the mainland remain the same.
According to a Central News Agency report, Mainland China's "Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress" is about to take effect. MAC Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wenjie stated at a press conference that the law is vague in concept and lacks clear definitions, making it impossible for the public to judge which behaviors are safe and which are dangerous, forcing people into self-censorship. The purpose of this law is to threaten and intimidate, and other countries have also expressed concerns about this law.
Liang Wenjie said that after this law comes into effect, citizens of other countries may also become targets of this law, whether it's for "supporting Taiwan" or for issues relating to Tibet and Xinjiang. For Taiwanese people, even without this law, the Chinese Communist Party can impose fabricated charges on anyone—human rights worker Lee Ming-cheh and Eight Banners Culture chief editor Fu Cha (Li Yanhe) are such examples.
Liang Wenjie emphasized, "Whether this law exists or not, for us (Taiwanese) going to Mainland China, the risk remains the same; the risk is the same."
Liang Wenjie: As Long As the CCP Doesn't Cause Trouble, Taiwan Will Do Just Fine
In addition, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Sandra Oudkirk recently pointed out that around seventy percent of Taiwanese public opinion supports maintaining the status quo, which could serve as a basis for cross-strait dialogue. She also said Beijing's attempts to foster division in Taiwan will not succeed. On the 25th, Liang Wenjie responded that the "status quo" means the Republic of China and People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. If one party continuously seeks to change this, the foundation for dialogue will be hard to maintain. He also criticized the Mainland Affairs Office's claim of "seven benefits after peaceful unification," emphasizing that Taiwan already possesses the fundamentals of prosperity, “As long as the CCP doesn't cause trouble, Taiwan will do just fine.” The so-called seven benefits have very little appeal to Taiwanese people.
Regarding Sandra Oudkirk's statement, MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wenjie noted at a regular press conference on the 25th that the current situation across the strait is that the People's Republic of China and the "Republic of China" are not subordinate to each other, and that the "Republic of China" is a sovereign independent nation. Under this status quo, of course, Taiwan is willing to engage in various exchanges and dialogues with the other side. However, he stated, if the other party keeps trying to change or break this status quo, it will be very difficult to maintain a basis for dialogue.
The Taiwan Affairs Office has previously spoken publicly many times about the "seven benefits after peaceful unification," and on the 24th elaborated that the seventh is: after peaceful unification there will be the strong backing of the motherland, and compatriots in Taiwan will, together with compatriots on the mainland, share the dignity and glory of a great nation, having more confidence and security internationally, as well as unprecedented development opportunities.
Liang Wenjie said, facing diplomatic suppression, "isn't it just the CCP doing it?" He pointed out, why does Taiwan have to spend so much on self-defense? Isn't it because "the CCP is threatening with force?"