ROC (Taiwan) nationals are advised against traveling to China, Hong Kong and Macao given the risk of prosecution under implementation rules pertaining to Article 43 of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, according to the Mainland Affairs Council July 9.
This position is taken given the broad-based provisions of the law, the MAC said. It is also made in light of draconian criminal penalties for offenses of secession, subversion, organization and perpetration of terrorist activities, as well as collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security, the council added.
The MAC cautioned that those falling foul of the law face heavy fines, lengthy imprisonment or even transfer to China irrespective of nationality. Such penalties fly in the face of internationally recognized standards, the council said.
According to the MAC, the police have a virtual free hand to investigate alleged offenses under the legislation. This represents a serious violation of an individual’s freedom, human, privacy and property rights, as well as the rule of law, the council said.
The MAC strongly condemned the legislation in a July 7 statement, describing it as an unprecedented attempt by a totalitarian power to expand the scope of censorship. No effort will be spared in working with legal professionals, as well as like-minded partners worldwide to safeguard the freedom, rights and safety of the country’s citizens and organizations, the council added.
The law, passed by the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress last month, took effect June 30. (TYT-E)
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