The Mainland Affairs Council has denounced moves by Chinese authorities...

...threatening the death penalty for Taiwan independence advocates

The MAC yesterday called the new guidelines "regrettable"...

...and described them as provocative and detrimental to exchanges between
people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

They said the Beijing authorities have no jurisdiction over Taiwan...

...added 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.

It comes in response to a press conference in yesterday in Beijing...

...where Chinese officials unveiled the guidelines on punishing "Taiwan
independence diehards"...

...convicted of "inciting secession".

Under the new rules, 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.