TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) on Thursday (Dec. 5) warned Taiwanese citizens to remain vigilant regarding personal safety when visiting China, as recent reports indicate religious figures from Taiwan have faced difficulties there. The DPP's Department of China Affairs (中國事務部) highlighted incidents involving Taiwanese I-Kuan Tao (一貫道) followers, with three individuals still detained in Guangdong since mid-October.
The department reported on Facebook that Chinese authorities have intensified religious control, with some local governments banning Christmas celebrations. A pastor revealed police in Guangzhou had cautioned against large gatherings before last year's Christmas. The department noted international concern over China's religious freedom crackdown, referencing the U.S. Department of State's 2023 report, which estimated that tens of thousands were imprisoned for religious beliefs in 2023.
The department accused China of leveraging religious activities, like Mazu (媽祖) temple events, to influence Taiwanese voting behavior. It criticized China's contradictory policies, such as demanding Taiwan open group travel while tightening security measures and arresting Taiwanese citizens under national security pretenses. They also mentioned the establishment of a mailbox for reporting pro-independence activities as a sign of conflicting cross-strait policies.
The Department of China Affairs urged China to adopt a rational and pragmatic approach to foster positive cross-strait relations, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and safety exchanges. They reiterated the importance of safety for Taiwanese citizens traveling to China.
