It demands that Taiwan ultimately accept unification and has long denounced Taiwanese who oppose its claims to the island.
Last week, China turned up the pressure, issuing legal guidelines that detailed the steps it might take to punish supporters of Taiwanese self-rule.
They came as tensions between U.S.-backed Taiwan and China ratchet ever higher.
Last month, Taiwan swore in a new president, Lai Ching-te, who has vowed to preserve democracy on the island and is denounced by Beijing.
The new rules adopted by China authorize execution for what it describes as exceptionally severe cases of Taiwanese separatism, though the language stops short of saying exactly what actions might constitute a severe offense.
Persons:
Lai Ching
Locations:
Taiwan, China, Beijing, U.S