China Blacklists Two Taiwan Ministers for Backing Independence

China announced it added Taiwan's interior minister Liu Shyh-fang and education minister Cheng Ying-yao to a blacklist, banning them from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau; Chinese officials described them as die-hard supporters of Taiwan independence and said unspecified punishments would follow.

China announced it has placed Taiwan's interior minister Liu Shyh-fang and education minister Cheng Ying-yao on a blacklist that Beijing says targets supporters of Taiwanese independence. A Chinese spokesman said the move includes unspecified punishments and restrictions on contact with China-based organizations and individuals. The action is the first targeting of current Taipei officials since Lai Ching-te became president and comes amid a broader pressure campaign that has included recent military drills around Taiwan. Key details: - China named Liu Shyh-fang (Interior Minister) and Cheng Ying-yao (Education Minister) as targets. - Chinese officials described them as supporters of Taiwan independence and said unspecified punishments would apply. - The measures reported include bans on entering China, Hong Kong and Macau, and prohibitions on working with China-based entities. - The blacklist now includes 14 current and former Taiwanese politicians, after earlier designations of figures such as Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and former Premier Su Tseng-chang. Summary: The designation increases Beijing's stated pressure on Taiwan and was presented by Chinese officials as a response to pro-independence positions. Undetermined at this time.