Richard Sanders
A former director of mainland affairs for the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is set to be investigated by the Mainland Affairs Council for allegedly claiming to represent Taiwanese interests during a symposium in China earlier this month. This event marked the 20th anniversary of China’s “Anti-Secession” Law, where he stated that the law serves as “the best medicine for unification,” according to an official familiar with the situation.
The investigation will look into whether Huang Ching-hsien (黃清賢) violated the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area by collaborating with senior members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as well as Chinese military and government officials.
The symposium took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 14, featuring prominent figures including Zhao Leji (趙樂際), Chairman of the National People’s Congress of China, and other high-ranking officials from various departments.
Huang, currently the director of the Taiwan Political Research Center at Nankai University in Tianjin, stated that the optimal path for Taiwan’s “unification with the motherland” is through peaceful means, respecting the fundamental rights and interests of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
He remarked that the “Anti-Secession” Law targets “Taiwanese independence separatists” and aims to deter their independence ambitions, adding that it grants the Chinese government authority to use non-peaceful measures to prevent secession.
He urged Taiwanese authorities to prioritize the rights and welfare of the public and avoid misjudging the circumstances.
However, Huang has been accused of misrepresenting Taiwan at an event intended to intimidate its people, with his comments allegedly used as propaganda by the CCP, according to the official.
Huang may have violated Article 33-1 of the act, which prohibits any cooperation with CCP-related organizations or military institutions that engage in political work against Taiwan or compromise national security or Taiwan’s interests.
Huang will be summoned back to Taiwan for clarification, the official stated.
The government is committed to enforcing cross-strait regulations due to Huang’s participation in the event supporting the CCP. If found to hold a household registration in China, his Taiwanese ID card would be revoked, and he would be required to leave the country.
