Taipei — Taiwan is considering issuing travel warnings for countries with strong ties to China, such as Laos and Cambodia, due to concerns that Taiwanese citizens could face intimidation or questioning as part of Beijing’s widening crackdown on Taiwan independence activists. A senior Taiwanese official and an internal government memo have cited intelligence reports backing these concerns, according to an Associated Press report.

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory despite the island's self-governing status, issued guidelines last year to punish so-called "diehard" Taiwan independence supporters. These measures, which theoretically include the death penalty, extend beyond China’s jurisdiction, raising fears of extraterritorial enforcement.

According to a government memo reviewed by AP and a senior Taiwan security official, a Chinese state security directive issued in late February instructed embassies and overseas police stations in pro-China countries to "implement" these guidelines. Taiwanese tourists, students, and residents in Cambodia, Laos, and parts of Africa may be targeted for questioning by local authorities or Chinese police, the memo suggests.

"They might be taken for questioning by local or Chinese police there, at least to psychologically intimidate them," the Taiwanese official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AP. Taiwan's foreign ministry has not yet confirmed whether an official travel advisory will be issued.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office and foreign ministry have not commented on the allegations. Similarly, the foreign ministries of Cambodia and Laos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Taipei warns of escalating pressure

Taiwanese authorities have long accused China of ramping up pressure through military maneuvers, trade restrictions, and diplomatic isolation. The new crackdown, however, appears to extend beyond China’s borders.

Beijing's guidelines from June last year called for Chinese courts, prosecutors, and security agencies to "severely punish Taiwan independence diehards" for what it deems "secession." The latest intelligence report indicates that these orders are now being carried out overseas in countries with "a high degree of trust" with China.

The February meeting that led to this directive was reportedly led by Wang Huning, a senior Politburo Standing Committee member and close adviser to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Despite Beijing’s aggressive stance, Taiwan’s foreign ministry has condemned the policy, stating that China is attempting to “shackle” Taiwan’s democracy and freedoms. Taipei has instructed its diplomatic offices to monitor the situation and raise awareness about travel safety risks.

China’s legal framework fuels uncertainty

Taiwan previously raised its travel warning for China in June 2024 following similar threats from Beijing. The foreign ministry currently maintains an "orange" travel alert—the second-highest level—for both Cambodia and Laos, advising citizens to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary due to the risks of fraud and human trafficking in scam centers.

China’s 2005 Anti-Secession Law grants Beijing legal justification for military intervention against Taiwan if it moves toward formal independence. However, the law remains ambiguous about what actions constitute secession, fueling concerns about arbitrary enforcement.

Taiwan’s government maintains that only its people can determine the island’s future, rejecting China’s sovereignty claims. While Taiwan operates under the Republic of China government—established after the Nationalists fled to the island in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War—Beijing continues to assert its claim over the territory.

As tensions grow, Taiwan is bracing for potential escalations and is urging its citizens to remain vigilant when traveling abroad.