U.S. voices concern as China investigates Taiwanese lawmaker for 'secession'

Washington, Nov. 14 (CNA) The U.S. Department of State on Friday expressed deep concern after a Chinese public security agency recently announced it was investigating Taiwanese lawmaker Puma Shen (沈伯洋) for "secession."

"China's actions threaten free speech and erode norms that have underpinned the cross-Strait status quo for decades," a State Department spokesperson told CNA.

The response came after China's Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau in late October listed Shen as "wanted" and launched an investigation into his alleged "secession-related" criminal activities in Taiwan, including his founding of Kuma Academy, a civil defense organization that tries to prepare Taiwan's interested civilians on what to do in the event of an invasion by China.

On Sunday, a Chinese legal expert said on China's state-run CCTV that Shen should be pursued through the International Criminal Police Organization and other mutual judicial assistance agreements with foreign countries.

The statement on CCTV raised public concern in Taiwan about whether Shen could be arrested and extradited to China if he traveled abroad.

The State Department spokesperson said the U.S. was "deeply concerned" about the Chongqing bureau investigating Shen under China's "draconian judicial guidelines" aimed at prosecuting so-called "Taiwan independence die-hards."

"We urge China to engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan to resolve differences. Continued threats and legal pressure will only undermine the peaceful resolution of issues that Beijing claims to seek," the spokesperson added.

Speaking at a hearing of the Bundestag's Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday, Shen said, "As a brave Taiwanese, I will never draw back in fear."

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, meanwhile, said China has no judicial authority over the country and that it will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international partners on possible countermeasures.