China’s Broadened Definition of Taiwan Independence Sparks Fear

⁢ Updated June 19, 2025
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Summer Chen, founder of a fact-checking organization focused on chinese disinformation, no longer travels from⁢ her‌ Taiwan home to China.Chen fears being labeled​ a‍ “Taiwan independence” supporter and facing ⁢arrest by Beijing. She once enjoyed trips across the Taiwan Strait for her‌ journalism work and sightseeing with her husband.

While China’s military drills ​near Taiwan grab headlines, a less visible‌ legal ⁢and psychological campaign is‌ underway. Many Taiwanese find this campaign more intimidating. Beijing has broadened its definition of “Taiwan independence”​ activities, encompassing any⁣ conduct seeking to separate Taiwan or deny its part in ‌China. This includes suppressing support for unification, covering ‍a wide range of political, economic, and cultural expressions.

Last year, China issued new‍ punishment guidelines under its 2005 anti-secession law. These guidelines allow the death⁤ penalty for “Taiwan independence” ⁣activists, putting younger Taiwanese, who are more likely to support Taiwan’s⁤ autonomy, in a challenging position. The crackdown on Taiwan independence is⁣ causing many to rethink travel⁢ plans.

“We all feel tense ⁣and ‌we won’t travel on the mainland,” Chen said from Taipei. “We totally avoid changing planes in China or Hong Kong.”

Beijing previously focused on a‌ formal declaration of independence by Taipei. However, with the rising popularity⁢ of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates self-determination, Beijing has grown concerned about Taiwan’s political drift. The DPP maintains that Taiwan is already independent, making a formal‍ declaration unnecessary. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has targeted “incremental independence” ⁣moves, including efforts ⁤to restrict ties with mainland China. The ‍ role of these actions is to undermine Taiwan’s democracy.

Xi is signaling ⁢that Beijing will not ⁣tolerate a lack of progress toward unification. A‌ Taiwan​ government official, speaking anonymously, said anything can now be interpreted as separatism, which is perilous.

China’s widening legal net has already ensnared individuals. taiwanese political activist Yang Chih-yuan was detained in‌ 2022 and sentenced in 2024 to nine years in a mainland prison ‍on charges of “separatism.” In Febuary, publisher Li Yanhe was convicted of inciting separatism and ​given a ⁣three-year prison term. As of May, 89 taiwanese were missing or detained in China, according to Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council.

Taipei issued⁤ a warning last year advising citizens to “avoid unnecessary travel” to mainland China,Hong kong,and​ Macao,citing a “serious threat to personal⁣ safety.” The government‌ also encouraged ⁣travelers to register online⁣ to speed response to incidents. Rising safety risks have contributed to a reduction in the number of Taiwanese working in China, a trend also driven by trade tensions, the pandemic, ⁢and the slowing Chinese economy.

Trips by‌ Taiwan​ citizens to mainland China have plateaued below pre-pandemic⁤ levels and have trended downward in the⁤ past year.

‌ ⁣ Beijing⁤ seeks⁢ to employ media warfare, legal warfare, and psychological warfare as part of a strategy to undermine Taiwan’s democracy and encourage self-censorship.

Julia Famularo,a lecturer⁣ in​ Asian Studies at the university of Hawaii,said China’s legal crackdown is tied to its campaign to compel unification. She added that Beijing targets Taiwan​ businesses linked to politicians who seek to bolster the island’s resilience.

What’s next

The situation remains tense as⁣ Taiwan navigates the complexities of cross-strait relations⁤ amid China’s increasing⁤ pressure and legal actions. The future will likely see continued⁢ efforts by Taiwan to safeguard its autonomy⁢ and ​by China to assert its claims.