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Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Friday evening denounced a new guideline issued by the Chinese authorities threatening to punish “diehard” advocates of Taiwan independence with the death penalty, calling the move detrimental to bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

In a press release, the MAC called the guideline laid out by Chinese officials earlier the same day “regrettable” and described it as provocative and detrimental to exchanges between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

“The Beijing authorities have no jurisdiction over Taiwan,” said the MAC, the top government agency handling cross-strait affairs, adding that China’s “so-called laws and regulations have no binding force on our people.”

However, the MAC also urged Taiwanese living in China or considering travel there to exercise caution.

At a press conference in Beijing, Chinese officials unveiled the guidelines on punishing “Taiwan independence diehards” convicted of “inciting secession,” under which those involved in serious cases against the country could receive the death penalty.

The guideline, drafted in accordance with existing Chinese laws, such as the 2005 Anti-Secession Law, detail the offences of splitting the country and inciting secession and the penalties those found guilty of such offences can face.