China warns of action against Taiwan independence 'diehards'

In an apparent signal of its intentions of keeping heat on over Taiwan, China on Friday said that it will take action and punish Taiwan independence 'diehards'. China said it would ban several Taiwanese politicians from visiting China. The statement has come even as the tension between China and Taiwan is at highest level in years.

China claims Taiwan to be its territory and has even said that it was open to seizing it by force one day.

On Friday, the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing warned that "the mainland will pursue criminal responsibility for Taiwan independence diehards in accordance with the law, to be effective for life".

Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman, named Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang, parliament speaker Yu Shyi-kun and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu as among a minority of independence supporters

Zhu said the politicians "have tried to instigate cross-strait confrontation, maliciously attacked and slandered the mainland... severely undermining cross-strait relations".

Their affiliates would also be restricted from cooperating with mainland organisations and individuals, she said, without giving more details.

Taiwan's Su on Friday brushed off the threat from Beijing, saying he "won't be intimidated".

"It doesn't (rule) Taiwan for one day but it's bossing Taiwan around," Su said of Beijing when asked about the list of "diehards" in parliament.

In 1949, the nationalist Kuomintang party fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war.

Taiwan, home to 24 million people has since become a democracy and a major tech hub

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said on Friday that "intimidations and threats from an authoritarian regime are unacceptable". 

"Taiwan is a democratic society with the rule of law and it's not under the jurisdiction of the other side," it said in a statement.

"If (Beijing) disregards cross-strait relations to intentionally sabotage our democracy... our government will have to take necessary counter moves to protect the safety and welfare of our people, and China will have to take the responsibility for possible consequences." 

The statement also said China aims to "create a chilling effect with vile and unfriendly moves" to force people of a different political stance into submission and that "Taiwanese people will never compromise".

Beijing-Taipei ties have plunged since Tsai rose to power in 2016.

"Those who forget their ancestors, betray their motherland and split the country will not come to a good end," Zhu said.

The comments came a day after the head of a visiting European Parliament delegation to Taipei called Taiwan's democracy "a treasure" to be protected, promising to stand with the island.

(With inputs from agencies)