Premier Chang San-cheng says that Taiwan needs to protect the rights of its citizens when they are involved in international crimes.
He was referring to 45 Taiwanese suspects who are accused of engaging in telecom fraud in Kenya. China has accused the suspects of scamming Chinese citizens, and has had them extradited to China, a move that sparked protest in Taiwan.
Chang said Taiwan needs to get involved to protect its citizens.
“Mainland China is beginning to investigate international cases more frequently than we are, so we have to face this seriously. It is a new phenomenon that China is unilaterally handling a case that involves our citizens. We need to be part of the process in order to protect the rights of our citizens. No matter where our citizens are extradited to, our priority is to protect [their] rights," said Chang.
Chinese public security officials have agreed to allow Taiwanese officials travel to China to discuss the matter. Preparations are already under way for a delegation from the justice ministry, the Mainland Affairs Council and the Criminal Investigation Bureau to leave as early as this week.
But Justice Minister Luo Ying-shay told the legislature’s judiciary committee on Monday that arrangements have not yet been made. She said she is concerned that China will push the negotiations back until after Taiwan’s new president is sworn in on May 20.