BEIJING: The Chinese mainland on Thursday launched a series of actions targeting “Taiwan independence” separatists, including issuing a wanted notice with rewards for 20 key suspects involved in cyberattacks against a mainland company, exposing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities’ so-called “internet army,” and announcing bans on a Taiwan-based company linked to a die-hard separatist.
Analysts reached by the Global Times said the mainland’s coordinated measures send a clear signal to the separatists in Taiwan island that as long as there is any push for “Taiwan independence,” the mainland will resolutely oppose it and punitive actions will follow.
The Chinese mainland on Thursday announced bans on a Taiwan company related to Shen Pao-yang, also known as Puma Shen, who is a die-hard supporter of “Taiwan independence,” from making deals or cooperating with organizations, businesses and individuals in the mainland, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, announced the punishment on Sicuens International Co., Ltd., a company led by Shen’s father, noting that the mainland will also take other necessary measures against the company. The company engages in trade and business cooperation with certain mainland enterprises in pursuit of economic benefits.
“The mainland side will never allow enterprises related to die-hard ‘Taiwan independence’ supporters to seek profits in the mainland,” said the spokesperson.
In October 2024, the office announced punishments on Shen and the Kuma Academy, an institution led by him. The office said that Shen had been actively and systematically organizing activities promoting “Taiwan independence.” He has also deliberately promoted “Taiwan independence” and “anti-China” ideologies, particularly targeting the young people in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the Kuma Academy has openly fostered violent “Taiwan independence” individuals under the guise of training and outdoor activities, according to Xinhua.
On Tuesday, the Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po released an article on its website saying that Shen portrays himself as a vocal vanguard against the mainland, but behind the scenes, he acts more like a salesman for the mainland. While he publicly denounces the mainland, few realize that his family has been quietly cooperating with mainland businesses, purchasing goods at low prices and reselling them in markets such as Ecuador at a significant markup.
The mainland has placed Shen and other die-hard “Taiwan independence” separatists on a sanctions list, barring them and their families from entering the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao SARs. Sanctions on Shen-linked companies underscore the mainland’s firm stance that any attempt to split the country will be punished. Authorities will hold offenders criminally accountable for life, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Thursday. –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
