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.
