Yaita Akio Assaulted by Chinese National, Taiwan Affairs Office Calls it 'Isolated Public Order Incident'

(Central News Agency, reporter Chang Shu-ling, Beijing, July 8) Yaita Akio, CEO of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank, was assaulted by a Chinese national in Taichung on July 6, raising concerns about Chinese "cross-border suppression." Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, claimed today that the Hong Kong man acted "out of righteous indignation" and that the incident was "entirely an isolated public order case that occurred by chance."

Yaita Akio was a guest speaker at an event in Taichung on July 6. As he was leaving the hotel at noon, he was followed and punched in the face by an unknown assailant. Taichung police intercepted and arrested the suspect, a Mr. Liao surnamed Liao, at Taichung International Airport that same afternoon as he was attempting to depart the country. He had arrived in Taiwan with a Hong Kong passport.

The Mainland Affairs Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this is the first cross-border suppression case since the "Law on the Promotion of National Unity and Progress" took effect on July 1. The government will not take this lightly and strongly condemns the violent act. Police and investigative agencies will conduct a thorough investigation to clarify the motive and severely punish all involved parties.

At a regular press conference held by the Taiwan Affairs Office today, media outlets inquired about Beijing's response to the case and whether the Hong Kong government would provide relevant investigation materials. Chen Binhua, in his response, claimed that the Hong Kong man acted "out of righteous indignation" and that the incident was "entirely an isolated public order case that occurred by chance."

Chen Binhua further claimed that the "DPP authorities" should not infringe upon the "legitimate rights and interests" of the Hong Kong man and must ensure his "personal and property safety from infringement." (Editor: Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150708

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