China threatens death penalty for Taiwan independence ‘diehards’

Beijing ramps up pressure over crime of secession' while Taipei says China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan and urges its people not to be intimidated

China has threatened to impose the death penalty in extreme cases for diehard" Taiwan independence separatists, a ratcheting up of pressure even though Chinese courts have no jurisdiction on the democratically governed island.

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has made no secret of its dislike of President Lai Ching-te, who took office last month, saying he is a separatist", and staged war games shortly after his inauguration.