Taipei, May 24 — Taiwan’s semi-official cross-strait agency says China has detained three Taiwanese followers of the I-Kuan Tao religious movement in incidents earlier this month, prompting renewed concern in Taipei over Beijing’s treatment of religious practitioners and Taiwanese travelers.
The reported detentions occurred in Fujian and Guangdong provinces. Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Secretary-General Luo Wen-jia told reporters the individuals were initially prevented from leaving China and were later taken into custody under unclear circumstances. Luo did not confirm how long the people have been held or whether they remain in Chinese custody.
The SEF said the latest cases add to a growing number of religion-related detentions of Taiwanese citizens in China. Since 2019, it has recorded at least 19 Taiwanese linked to 17 separate cases; 14 of those involved followers of I-Kuan Tao, while others were associated with Christian groups and the Unification Church. Taiwanese authorities and civil society organizations have repeatedly warned I-Kuan Tao followers against traveling to mainland China because of security concerns.
Luo also cited China’s recently passed Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, enacted in March, saying the legislation could increase risks for Taiwanese visiting the mainland.
The SEF criticized Chinese authorities for not informing Taiwan about the latest detentions. Formal communication channels between the SEF and China’s Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits have been suspended for about a decade. The SEF serves as Taiwan’s principal semi-official body for managing cross-strait exchanges and assisting Taiwanese citizens in China.
Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of China, a stance reflected in its national policy and laws. (ANI)
(This article is based on a syndicated feed and is published as received.)
