China announced that it will punish and sanction Taiwanese businessman Robert Tsao and lawmaker Puma Shen for allegedly engaging in criminal and pro-Taiwan independence activities.
The Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement that the ‘Black Bear Academy’, with which both men were associated, was trying to incite separatism that would jeopardise cross-strait ties.
Tsao is one of Taiwan’s richest men, who two years ago pledged to donate millions of dollars to two civil defence training programmes, including the Black Bear Academy. Shen, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), helps run the Black Bear Academy training.
The State Council-level Taiwan Affairs Office said it would include Tsao and Shen on a list of supporters of ‘Taiwan independence’ and impose sanctions on them and the academy.
The move came as China on Monday launched new military exercises around the democratically-ruled island it claims as its own. Beijing said the drills were a warning against ‘separatist actions by Taiwan independence forces’, while condemning Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te of the DPP.
