Mainland punishes 'Taiwan independence' separatists advocating violence

The Chinese mainland on Monday announced punitive measures against two secessionists, Shen Pao-yang and Tsao Hsing-cheng, along with an organization called the "Kuma Academy" that promotes pre-war mentalities in Taiwan, for advocating for "Taiwan independence".

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the "academy" openly engaged in separatist activities and served as a clear base for separatists.

Under the support of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities and external interference forces, the organization operates under the guise of "lectures, training, outdoor exercises" and also "parent-child activities", brazenly cultivating "violent Taiwan independence separatists", Chen said.

He said that Shen, a founder of the "academy", maliciously promoted secessionist fallacy and anti-mainland sentiments to Taiwan people, especially youths, widely spreading the seeds of violence in the Taiwan Strait.

Tsao provided substantial financial support for the organization's separatist activities, fervidly advocating for "armed resistance against reunification" and "military readiness", Chen said.

He also invested in the production of TV shows with "Taiwan independence" themes, disseminating "anti-China separatism" in various ways, according to Chen.

"They're openly dividing the country and inciting separatism, seriously endangering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, severely harming the common interests of compatriots on both sides," Chen emphasized, adding that the mainland will not tolerate or condone such behavior.

The mainland has decided to prohibit the two and their family members from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, he said.

The "academy" and organizations affiliated with Shen or Tsao are also restricted from entering into cooperations with mainland entities or individuals, and their associated businesses and backers are not allowed to profit on the mainland, he added.

Chen said, "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible, and he hopes that Taiwan compatriots will consciously draw a clear line between them while firmly opposing separatist actions.