China establishes criminal provisions for acts that support Taiwan independence News
harryho34 / Pixabay
China establishes criminal provisions for acts that support Taiwan independence

The Chinese government has established a set of rules Friday that criminalizes any person or entity with pro-democracy inclinations for Taiwan. This was a follow-up to China’s proposal in 2020 when the CCP announced a global blacklist structure to proscribe Taiwan secessionists.

The rules will work with the global blacklist, banning and imposing lifetime criminal charges to individuals or listed entities. Individuals will then be banned from entering Hong Kong and Macao and barred from engaging in business activity with people or entities in mainland China.

While the list has not been publicized, several prominent pro-independence Taiwanese politicians have already been hinted to be on the blacklist. The Taiwanese affairs office in Beijing has stated that Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng Chang, Legislative Yuan President Yu Shyi Kun, and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu have been problematic. The office has been quoted to be displeased with the pro-independence efforts from these politicians, stating that their actions are “vigorously inciting cross-strait confrontation and malicious attacks against the mainland.”

On a 30th of November statement by the Chinese Ministry of Defence states that the future of Taiwan lies in reunification. A Pentagon report by the U.S. government released on Thursday showed that the Chinese government has expedited expansion on its military presence in the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence believes these efforts by the CCP are intended to force Taiwan to negotiate reunification status with Beijing by 2027.

The Taiwanese Mainland Affairs Council has released a statement that it will not adhere to the new rules as Taiwan is a “democratic society with rule of law and not ruled by Beijing.” The Council further elaborated that

The Communist Party of China’s unilateral legislation on Taiwan has no binding force on the people of Taiwan, the [party] has always used coercive threats to pressure people who disagree with it. The people of Taiwan will never compromise.

Taiwanese Defence Minister Chiu Kuo Cheng has stated that Taiwan will not be forced into any talks.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.