Crimes of conducting, inciting secession to be severely punished by law: spokeswoman

Any criminal act that attempts to conduct or incite secession will be severely punished by law, said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhu made the remarks when responding to a media inquiry about the implementation of the guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard Taiwan separatists for conducting or inciting secession, a judicial document which was issued by Chinese authorities on June 21, 2024.

"It's essential for China to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity by inflicting law-based punishments upon crimes of conducting or inciting secession by diehard Taiwan separatists, which is also a just act to safeguard the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the overall interests of the Chinese nation. The introduction of the guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard Taiwan separatists for conducting or inciting secession has enriched and improved the relevant national legal system and practice, strongly deterred the Taiwan separatist forces and their separatist activities, and safeguarded peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The guidelines are conducive to striving for a bright prospect of peaceful reunification and have received high attention, wide understanding and support from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the international community," said the spokeswoman.

"Taiwan is a part of China, and China will never allow the separatist forces to separate Taiwan from China under whatever pretext or by any means. The law-based punishments on diehard Taiwan separatists for conducting or inciting secession are fully justified, legitimate and lawful.The judicial document is aimed at a small number of diehard individuals who engage in egregious separatist words and deeds, and rampant secession activities. There is no escape from the long arm of the law. All criminal acts of conducting or inciting secession will be severely punished by law," Zhu said.

The guidelines, jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the ministries of public security, state security, and justice, allow a trial in absentia in relevant cases.

The document, based on the Anti-Secession Law, the Criminal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law, provides more specific rules concerning conviction and sentencing in the event of such crimes, as well as relevant procedures, serving as guidance for the judiciary in handling relevant cases.

It spells out clearly-defined circumstances in which a very few diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists, through acts such as organizing, plotting or carrying out schemes of "de jure independence," or seeking independence by relying on foreign support or by force, should be held criminally responsible.

Also, it stipulates that those who are found to have colluded with any foreign or overseas institution, organization or individual in committing such crimes, should be given a harsher punishment.

Crimes of conducting, inciting secession to be severely punished by law: spokeswoman

Crimes of conducting, inciting secession to be severely punished by law: spokeswoman

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests