TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 大陸委員會) officials criticized China on Thursday (Sept. 27) for not following established mechanisms to notify Taiwan about cases where Taiwanese citizens face detention. This situation has persisted since former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office, drawing significant concern.
A 22-year-old Taiwanese man went missing after arriving in Shanghai on Aug. 27. China's Taiwan Affairs Office (國台辦) delayed a month before stating the man was under investigation for alleged fraud. China claimed the reason for not following the cross-strait judicial assistance agreement's notification protocol was "well-known."
Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) addressed the issue during a routine press conference on Thursday. He stated that China's failure to notify proactively had caused family concerns and media speculation. Only after public pressure did China acknowledge the individual's involvement in the fraud.
Liang emphasized the necessity of notification, stating it ensures accurate information between the two sides, and lamented China's politicization of such matters.
Liang also noted that cross-strait agreements explicitly stipulate a notification mechanism. However, since May 20, 2016, political factors from China have continuously disrupted the implementation of these agreements.