Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office

Issuing a bounty notice for clues on alleged crimes by 18 core members of Taiwan military's "Psychological Operations Battalion" is a concrete step to enforce guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession, and a just act to safeguard the interests of people on both sides of the Straits, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said Saturday.

The Public Security Bureau in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, issued a bounty notice on Saturday seeking clues on illegal activities of 18 core members of the Taiwan regional military's "Psychological Operations Battalion" under the "Political Warfare Bureau," which carried out smear campaigns and incited secession. The notice also published the members' photos and identification numbers on the bureau's website.

Chen said in the statement that for a long time, the "Psychological Operations Battalion" has employed despicable methods — such as setting up propaganda websites, producing reactionary games, fabricating audio-visual content, and operating reactionary radio stations — to smear and attack the mainland, peddle the fallacy of "Taiwan independence," and incite secession. 

The move is a concrete step to implement the guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession and a just act to safeguard the interests of people on both sides of the Straits and the Chinese nation, said Chen. 

"Taiwan independence" is a retrograde current of history and a scourge to cross-Straits relations. Any organizations or individuals who acts as accomplices to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces will be severely punished by law, Chen said. 

We hope compatriots on both sides of the Straits will actively provide relevant information on illegal and criminal activities, resolutely oppose any form of "Taiwan independence" separatism, and firmly safeguard national reunification, peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and their own safety and well-being, said Chen.

Global Times