Taiwanese security forces accused of trailing mainland Chinese religious group
- Claims that delegation from Fujian was followed during a temple tour have raised concerns about religious freedom and cross strait exchanges
Claims that Taiwanese security officials tailed a mainland Chinese party throughout a religious tour of the island have raised concerns about the obstruction of people-to-people exchanges and the freedom of religion.
Koxinga, a Ming dynasty (1368-1644) loyalist, is credited with establishing Chinese control over the island. He set up a short-lived dynasty that ruled until 1683, when the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), which had displaced the Ming on the mainland, seized control.
During a tour of temples and other establishments built in his honour, the group was tailed by secret agents throughout its entire trip, the Taipei-based China Times reported on Monday.
An unnamed host of the group told the newspaper that religious exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait had been going on for many years, but said: “Unlike in the past, this time national security agents ‘accompanied’ the group throughout the entire visit.”
The report, picked up by other Taiwanese news media, drew criticism.