TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet said Thursday it is reviewing legal changes to increase penalties for cross-border repression after a Chinese national allegedly assaulted Japanese journalist and commentator Yaita Akio in Taipei.
Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said the government’s cross-border repression task force has begun examining legal measures, with the justice ministry studying possible regulations, per SET News. The Mainland Affairs Council said it is working with the justice ministry to increase criminal penalties for such offenses to raise the cost of committing them.
Yaita, who became a Taiwanese citizen, was punched on Jan. 6 after giving a speech in Taichung by a man surnamed Liao who entered Taiwan using a Hong Kong passport. The council described the case as the first alleged cross-border repression incident targeting Taiwan since China's ethnic unity law took effect on July 1.
The Taipei Trust in Democracy Association condemned the attack and called on the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the Hong Kong and Macau Act, SET News reported. The group urged stricter screening of visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and China to prevent overseas forces from carrying out violent crimes in Taiwan.
Tung Yu-yun (董玉芸), deputy director of the council's legal affairs department, said the government is studying amendments related to cross-border repression, per CNA. She said the council and the justice ministry would consider tougher penalties for acts carried out at the direction of, on behalf of, or with funding from overseas hostile forces, adding that the government's response strategy focuses on prevention, protection, and countermeasures.
Asked whether Taiwan would restrict entry for Hong Kong and Macau residents, council official Wei Hsu-chuan (魏淑娟) said applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis under existing laws and procedures, CNA reported. She added that the council will work with relevant agencies to strengthen national security risk assessment and early warning mechanisms.
