Taipei, May 25 (CNA) Taiwan's government is considering adopting measures to prohibit blacklisted Chinese human rights violators from entering the country in response to the detention of a Taiwanese human rights activist in China, Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy head and spokesperson of the Mainland Affairs Council said on Thursday.
Chiu announced the plan after a local non-governmental organization (NGO) issued a statement criticizing Taiwan's government for not doing enough to help with the release of Lee Ming-che, who has been detained for nearly 70 days in China.
The NGO is working to secure Lee's release and sent a representative with his wife Lee Ching-yu to the United States earlier this month to solicit assistance from the U.S. Congress and NGOs.
The NGO said it understands the government's inability to take action given the lack of communication between Taiwan and China.
Lee Ming-che was detained after entering Zhuhai City from Macau on March 19. He used to work for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and is currently a staff member at Wenshan Community College in Taipei, as well as a volunteer at the local NGO Covenant Watch.
Chiu said at a regular press conference on Thursday that the MAC empathized with Lee's family and the government is doing everything it can to facilitate his release and return home at the earliest possible date, while also seeking to ensure his personal safety and uphold the national dignity of Taiwan.
Chiu said that the government will try to communicate and coordinate with China through existing channels on Lee's release and to that end is soliciting the support of international NGOs, experts and scholars.
The Taiwan government has developed a blacklist of suspected human rights violators based on reports provided by NGOs and religious groups suppressed by the Chinese government, Chiu noted, declaring that officials are discussing whether and how to restrict those on the list from entering Taiwan as a countermeasure.
He also urged China to publish details about Lee's case, including where he is being held and granting visitation right to his family, adding that the relevant government agencies will continue to work for Lee's timely release.
