Archive · 7 Jan 2026
China Sanctions Taiwanese Ministers Over Independence Activities
China has punished two important officials from Taiwan, along with their families, for saying Taiwan should be independent.
China thinks Taiwan is part of it and doesn't want Taiwan to be separate.
Taiwan says only the people of Taiwan can decide their future and that China's actions are unfair.
China also did big military exercises around Taiwan, which made Taiwan and other countries worried.
Taiwan says China is trying to scare its people, but Taiwan will keep fighting for its freedom and democracy.
China sanctioned Taiwanese Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao for alleged separatist activities.
The sanctions include entry bans for the ministers and their relatives, extending to Hong Kong and Macau.
China has listed 14 people as secessionists, including high-ranking Taiwanese officials.
Taiwan protested the sanctions, accusing Beijing of creating a chilling effect and threatening cross-strait relations.
China conducted extensive military exercises around Taiwan, causing concern among regional allies and the West.
- Who
- Taiwanese Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang, Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao, and other high-ranking officials
- What
- China sanctioned these officials for alleged separatist activities related to Taiwan independence
- When
- Sanctions were imposed on January 7, 2024
- Where
- Taiwan and China
- Why
- China aims to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Taiwan views the actions as threats and intimidation
China's Stance
Taiwan's Stance
Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
China's Stance
China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has sanctioned officials for alleged separatist activities to safeguard national sovereignty.
Taiwan's Stance
Taiwan strongly objects to Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting that only its people can decide their future.
Jurisdiction and Legal Authority
China's Stance
China treats Taiwanese officials' actions as domestic criminal offenses and imposes sanctions accordingly.
Taiwan's Stance
Taiwan rejects China's jurisdiction, stating that Chinese laws do not apply in Taiwan, which has its own judicial system.
Military and Political Actions
China's Stance
China conducted extensive military exercises around Taiwan and has listed 14 people as secessionists.
Taiwan's Stance
Taipei views these actions as threats and intimidation, vowing to uphold democracy and freedom despite Chinese pressure.
- Sanctioned Ministers
- Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao
- Sanction Details
- Entry bans for ministers and their relatives, extending to Hong Kong and Macau
- Additional Sanctioned Individuals
- Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, National Security Council head Joseph Wu, Defence Minister Wellington Koo, and prosecutor Chen Shu-Yi
- Chinese Military Actions
- Conducted extensive war games around Taiwan, firing rockets and deploying warships and aircraft
- Taiwan's Response
- Protested the sanctions, accusing Beijing of creating a chilling effect and threatening cross-strait relations
