TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A researcher issued a cautionary statement on Saturday (April 27), urging Taiwanese citizens to exercise caution when traveling to China. This warning comes in anticipation of Beijing's tightening of national security policy enforcement in July, following the recent announcement of two significant regulations.
The regulations, unveiled last Friday, are designed to guide the law enforcement and judicial activities of China's national security agencies. According to state media, these measures aim to clamp down on "illegal" and "criminal" activities that threaten national security, as defined by Beijing.
Taiwan Thinktank's researcher Wu Se-chih (吳瑟致) pointed out the ambiguity in China's definition of national security threats, which could potentially ensnare unsuspecting individuals.
Navigating Ambiguity
Wu elaborated that the new procedural regulations would direct Chinese law enforcement in managing national security cases and executing arrests. He raised concerns over the regulations' vague criteria for verification or evidence collection, which grant Chinese officers considerable leeway in detaining individuals or searching private properties. Wu warned that even vague political messages found on mobile phones or computers might be construed as national security threats under these new rules.
Potential for Political Retribution
The introduction of these regulations has sparked fears of their use for political retribution, potentially leading to a surge in cases of judicial oppression. An academic, preferring anonymity, highlighted that the regulations outline procedures for seizing electronic devices, legitimizing actions that were previously undertaken without legal justification.