The Chinese mainland's punitive measures on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists have sound legal basis, and are completely rightful, reasonable and legitimate, said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday.

The Chinese mainland on Tuesday imposed sanctions including an entry ban on seven "Taiwan independence" diehards to safeguard the peaceful development of the cross-strait relations.

"Taiwan is part of China. Anyone who endangers national sovereignty, security and development interests will not escape the sanction of national laws," Ma said, commenting on Taiwan's mainland affairs council which said the sanctions are "null and void."

The Chinese mainland will take further necessary measures to resolutely foil any attempt to split the country, if the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority continues to support "Taiwan independence" diehards, the spokesperson reiterated.

(Cover: Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, holds a news briefing, Beijing, China, April 27, 2022. /CFP )