"The central government will take all necessary measures to severely punish stubborn secessionists seeking 'Taiwan independence,' holding them accountable lifelong in accordance with the law," Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press briefing on Wednesday.

Zhu noted that the peaceful development of cross-strait ties can be ensured only by resolutely cracking down on those secessionists and their related activities.