Why has Taiwan issued a travel advisory to its residents visiting China?

China has threatened to execute residents of Taiwan who support its independence. This has prompted the Taiwanese government to issue a travel advisory which warned its residents not to travel to China. This is yet another move by the Chinese government to strengthen its hold over Taiwan, in recent times, to curb what it terms as “secessionist activities”. These actions have increased ever since President Lai Ching-te took over as the executive head of Taiwan. While China sought to playdown this move, Taiwan pointed towards an authoritarian Chinese polity and asked China to shed its aggressive actions which seek to spoil the relationship between the two countries.

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Chinese actions:

The Chinese clarified that only a small number of people face the risk of death penalty. It said that those residents of Taiwan who support an independent country will be the ones who will be given a death penalty. This clarification came from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday. This is yet another move by China which seeks to control Taiwan. The People’s Republic of China (Chinese mainland) seeks to reunify Republic of China (Taiwan) with the mainland. This directive came after the US approved the sale of drones, missiles and other weapons to Taiwan. The total cost was $360 million.

Chinese attempts to intimidate Taiwan:

In recent times, China also has conducted military drills surrounding Taiwan. These drills have been used by the Chinese as tactics to intimidate Taiwan and also as an attempt to warn its allies including the US. in 2022, China conducted its first live fire drills after the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. China actively discourages foreign leaders from visiting Taiwan. Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was the first such visit by a Speaker from the US Congress in 25 years.

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FAQs:

When was Taiwan formed?
Members of KMT party who were fighting against the Chinese Communist Party lost the war in 1949. They moved to the neighboring island of Formosa. This island became Taiwan.

Will there be a war between Taiwan and China?
China has said that it seeks to reunify Taiwan with the mainland. However, analysts have said that a war is unlikely in the present times.