Taiwan Hits Back at CCP Sanctions on Taiwan Officials

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan yesterday denounced the Chinese Communist Party for blacklisting Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s U.S. envoy, and six other Taiwanese officials, saying its attempt would only be counterproductive and foster resentment among Taiwanese, Taipei Times reported on August 17.

At a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Joanne Ou said Communist China has no authority to dictate to Taiwan because Taiwan is a democratic country adhering to the rule of law and will never succumb to the intimidation and threats unleashed by a totalitarian regime.

In addition to Hsiao Bi-khim, the representative to the U.S., the sanctions list also includes National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, Deputy Legislative Speaker Tsai Chi-chang, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming, DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan, DPP Legislator Wang Ting-yu, and New Power Party (NPP) Chairwoman Chen Jiau-hua. The CCP calls the people on the list “die-hard Taiwan independence separatists”, and their family members are barred from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The Mainland Affairs Council said the sanctions are “illegal” and “invalid” because Taiwan and Communist China are not under each other’s jurisdiction. The Taiwan government will respond to the sanctions in a “prompt manner” with “necessary measures” to avoid negative effects and defend national security and public interest.