Author: Ethan Connell
Here’s the latest edition of the TSM PRC State Media Tracker. Each Friday, we highlight key excerpts from China’s state media organs, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Taiwan Affairs Office, all below!
“Legal Taiwan Independence” Will Be Crushed
7 January 2026
On the recent initiative by Taiwanese DPP lawmaker Lin I-chin to codify a two-state solution, with the aim to “legally define the relationship between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as an equal, state-to-state relationship”:
At the January 7 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: According to Taiwanese media reports, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator proposed amending the current “Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area” to define cross-Strait relations as “Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China,” and to delete the wording “before national reunification” from the original provisions. Other media reports say that the proposer has already withdrawn the bill, while the proposer himself claims that “it has not yet been formally submitted.” What is your comment?
In response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that they are paying close attention to these developments. He said that the proposal ignores the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan and the peace and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, openly challenges the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China, and attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait in which there is only one China and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. He said it is a naked attempt to push “legal Taiwan independence,” deliberately escalating cross-Strait tensions and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. Its intentions are sinister and its nature is egregious, fully demonstrating that the Lai Ching-te authorities and the DPP are nothing less than “destroyers of peace,” “manufacturers of crises,” and “instigators of war.”
Chen said that “Taiwan independence” means war and is a dead end with no way out. He said China has full confidence and sufficient capability to smash any attempt at “legal Taiwan independence” in any form, and will never allow “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, under any name or in any way, to split Taiwan from China.
Chen added that history has already proven and will continue to prove that pursuing “Taiwan independence” separatism will never end well and will only lead to complete defeat. If “Taiwan independence” separatist forces dare to take reckless risks and cross red lines, China will, in accordance with the Anti-Secession Law, take resolute measures and deliver a head-on blow. He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will clearly recognize the evil nature and grave harm of “Taiwan independence,” firmly stand on the correct side of history, resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, and join together to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and protect the shared home of the Chinese nation.
“Taiwan Independence” Will be Punished For Life
7 January 2026
On the announcement of another round of “Taiwan independence elements”, which brings the total to 26 individuals:
At the January 7 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: In recent years, the mainland has released several batches of lists of “diehard Taiwan independence” elements and “Taiwan independence” enforcers and accomplices. How many people are currently on each list? Will punishment be further intensified in the future to bring them to justice? Some public opinion on the island says that the mainland’s punitive measures currently have no substantive impact on these individuals. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
In response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that “Taiwan independence” elements are criminals who split the country and undermine cross-Strait relations, and are also national traitors who seek “independence,” provoke war, and harm the interests and well-being of their compatriots. As of now, 14 “diehard Taiwan independence” elements and 12 “Taiwan independence” enforcers and accomplices have been announced.
He said that any “Taiwan independence” elements who break the law, no matter where they are, will face all necessary measures: they will be punished in accordance with the law and held accountable for life.
Momentum Builds For National Reunification
7 January 2026
A summary of developments in cross-Strait relations in the past year and predictions for the year ahead:
At the January 7 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked the spokesperson to summarize developments in cross-Strait relations in 2025 and to look ahead to cross-Strait relations in 2026.
In response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that 2025 was a year in which cross-Strait relations pressed ahead through difficulties and momentum was built for national reunification. They firmly grasped the initiative and leadership in cross-Strait relations, pushed exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development to a higher level, demonstrated stronger capabilities to deter “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, accumulated stronger momentum for advancing reunification, and gathered greater strength for promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
First, they broke through obstacles and continued to expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. They worked to overcome obstruction and restrictions imposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, continued to expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and promoted closer ties between compatriots on both sides and deeper, more substantive cooperation. They significantly increased the number of ports where Taiwan compatriots can obtain permits on arrival, introduced policies such as waiving the Taiwan Compatriot Permit application fee for “first-time applicants” and offering airfare discounts, and provided “greater openness, maximum convenience, and greater safety” for Taiwan compatriots traveling to and from the mainland. They successfully held events such as the Straits Forum, the Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit, and the Cross-Strait Grassroots Livelihood Development Exchange Conference, leading a new wave of exchanges. The numbers of Taiwan compatriots, Taiwanese youth, and “first-time visitors” coming to the mainland rose sharply. More and more Taiwan compatriots personally experienced the magnificence of the motherland’s landscapes, felt the dynamic vitality of Chinese-style modernization, appreciated the unique charm of Chinese culture, and took pride in being upright and dignified Chinese.
Second, they continued to deepen cross-Strait integrated development and share the opportunities of Chinese-style modernization. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee reviewed and adopted the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, making top-level design and strategic planning for development over the next five years. This provides strong impetus for Chinese-style modernization and opens broader space for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises to establish themselves and develop on the mainland. They respect, care for, and benefit Taiwan compatriots, implement policies of equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises, and push for policies benefiting them to be implemented effectively. They advanced the construction of the cross-Strait integrated development demonstration zone with high quality, introduced a new batch of policies to deepen integrated development, and achieved new progress and results in Fujian–Taiwan integration. They held the 2025 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit Annual Meeting and dozens of cross-Strait economic and trade exchange activities, sharing the opportunities and achievements of Chinese-style modernization with Taiwan businesspeople and enterprises. They effectively responded to external tariff bullying, safeguarded the Chinese nation’s economy, and protected the interests of Taiwan businesses and enterprises on the mainland. More and more Taiwan compatriots have come to deeply recognize that both sides of the Strait form an inseparable community of shared destiny, and that the mainland is always a strong backing for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises.
Third, they resolutely opposed “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference and firmly safeguarded the shared home of the Chinese nation. They held a symposium marking the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Anti-Secession Law, conducted the “Strait Thunder–2025A” and “Justice Mission–2025” exercises, firmly defended national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely safeguarded the common interests of compatriots on both sides of the Strait and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. They punished in accordance with the law “diehard Taiwan independence” elements and their enforcers and accomplices, effectively deterring separatist provocations. They firmly upheld the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, continued to consolidate the international one-China framework, and effectively curbed external forces’ use of the “Taiwan card.” They united the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots, upheld the one-China principle and the “1992 Consensus,” jointly opposed “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, firmly safeguarded the shared home of the Chinese nation, and kept the future and destiny of the nation firmly in the hands of Chinese on both sides of the Strait. More and more people on the island have seen clearly the historical trend that the motherland will inevitably be reunified and have voiced hopes that cross-Strait relations will return to the correct track of peaceful development.
Chen said that on the eve of the New Year in 2026, President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year address, extending New Year greetings to Chinese at home and abroad, in which he emphasized that “compatriots on both sides of the Strait are bound by blood, and the historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable.” In the new year, they will thoroughly implement the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, uphold the one-China principle and the “1992 Consensus,” resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence” separatism and external interference, unite the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and advance the great cause of national reunification.
He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will continue to strengthen their resolve, backbone, and confidence in being Chinese, work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the cause of national reunification, and strive unremittingly for the shared future of Chinese on both sides of the Strait.
Sanctions against Liu Shifang, Cheng Yingyao, and Chen Shuyi
7 January 2026
On the announcement that Taiwanese Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang and Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao had been designated as “die-hard pro-independence elements,” along with Taiwan High Prosecutors Office prosecutor Chen Shu-yi, who was labeled as a henchman and accomplice of pro-independence forces, with threats of lifelong prosecution:
At the January 7 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, spokesperson Chen Binhua announced that the mainland has designated Liu Shifang and Cheng Yingyao as “diehard Taiwan independence” elements, and Chen Shuyi as a “Taiwan independence” enforcer and accomplice.
Chen Binhua said that he was announcing two decisions by the mainland. First, Liu Shifang and Cheng Yingyao are being designated as “diehard Taiwan independence” elements and will be punished in accordance with the law. Compatriots on both sides of the Strait share the same roots, culture, and heritage, and the common aspiration of people on both sides is for peace, development, exchange, and cooperation. Liu Shifang and Cheng Yingyao have gone against this trend, committed numerous “Taiwan independence” misdeeds, and aroused strong indignation among compatriots on both sides of the Strait. Many members of the public have reported them to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, demanding that they be punished.
Chen said that Liu Shifang has openly propagated “Taiwan independence” separatist fallacies, harshly suppressed Taiwanese figures who support or participate in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, persecuted mainland spouses in Taiwan, and tried by every means to set up obstacles to cross-Strait travel and block channels for communication between people on both sides. Cheng Yingyao has vigorously promoted provocative “independence-seeking” rhetoric, organized the compilation of “Taiwan independence” teaching materials to poison young people on the island, and obstructed cross-Strait educational exchanges and cooperation. Both Liu and Cheng are stubborn in their “Taiwan independence” ideology, brazen in their separatist rhetoric, and egregious in their actions. They have openly sought to split the country and incited secession, seriously undermined cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, gravely damaged the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and seriously harmed the interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.
Chen said that, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the mainland has decided to place Liu Shifang and Cheng Yingyao on the list of “diehard Taiwan independence” elements and impose sanctions on them. They and their family members are banned from entering the mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions; institutions associated with them are restricted from cooperating with relevant organizations and individuals on the mainland; their associated enterprises and financial backers will not be allowed to seek profits on the mainland; and other necessary punitive measures will be taken. They will be held legally accountable for life. Compatriots on both sides of the Strait are welcome to continue providing information on the illegal and criminal activities of Liu Shifang and Cheng Yingyao.
Chen pointed out that “Taiwan independence” separatism is a serious scourge to the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and that punishing in accordance with the law the very small number of “diehard Taiwan independence” elements is meant to fundamentally safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and protect the vital interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots—it is by no means directed at the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots. He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will clearly recognize the Taiwan-harming nature, sinister intentions, and ugly true face of this tiny number of “diehard Taiwan independence” elements, consciously draw a clear line between themselves and people like Liu Shifang and Cheng Yingyao, resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, firmly promote cross-Strait exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development, safeguard the shared home of the Chinese nation, and jointly create enduring well-being for compatriots on both sides of the Strait.
Chen then announced the second decision: Chen Shuyi, described as a “green judicial thug,” is being designated a “Taiwan independence” enforcer and accomplice and will be held legally accountable for life. According to investigations, Chen Shuyi, a prosecutor with Taiwan’s “High Prosecutors Office,” has willingly acted as an enforcer and accomplice of “Taiwan independence,” fabricated charges, manufactured wrongful cases, persecuted Taiwanese individuals who support or participate in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, intimidated the public, and created a “green terror.” Her actions are of a vile nature and constitute serious crimes. The authorities are hereby continuing to solicit clues and evidence of Chen Shuyi’s illegal and criminal activities from both sides of the Strait (which can be sent to: [email protected]). They will base their actions on facts and the law and will punish Chen Shuyi in accordance with the law and hold her accountable for life.
Trump’s Statement on Taiwan
9 January 2026
On US President Donald Trump, who told the New York Times it’s “up to” Xi Jinping what China does regarding Taiwan, and said he warned Xi he’d be “very unhappy” if Beijing changed the status quo:
Reuters reporter: Some analysts say China might draw lessons from the U.S. military strike on Venezuela. President Trump told The New York Times that if China seeks to change the status quo in Taiwan during his term, he would be very displeased. What is the Foreign Ministry’s comment on Trump’s remarks? Mao Ning: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people themselves and brooks no external interference.