China says Taiwan independence backers will be blacklisted

Island's foreign minister and premier among people to be stopped from entering mainland and Hong Kong

China has said it will hold those who support Taiwan independence" criminally liable for life, provoking anger and ridicule from the island at a time of heightened tension between the neighbours.

For the first time, China has spelled out the punishment that awaits people deemed to back independence for Taiwan - top officials of the self-ruled island among them.