MAC slams China's reported plan to identify 'independence advocates'

Taipei, Nov. 15 (CNA) Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Sunday that a reported effort by China to draft a list of "stubborn Taiwan independence advocates" was an attempt to "sow division" that has damaged cross-strait peace.

In a front page story Sunday, a pro-Beijing Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao said China was looking at compiling a list of people who advocate for Taiwan independence.

With the compilation of such a list, China would then seek to imprison those people, in accordance with its laws, the Ta Kung Pao reported, citing "authoritative sources."

In a statement, the MAC said it is common for China's authoritarian regime to use military coercion to force the surrender of those it considers its opponents.

"Through the creation of such a list, China would be seeking to force self-censorship among Taiwanese and sow division between the people on opposite sides of the Taiwan Strait, thus damaging cross-strait peace and stability," the MAC said.

China's efforts will be in vain, however, as Taiwan is a free and democratic country, and the Taiwanese people will not bow to threats, the MAC said.

Beijing needs to respect the Taiwanese people and come to terms with the reality that the two sides of the strait are governed separately, the MAC said.