Choose a Side: China Warns It Will Ban Taiwanese Businesses Over Political Stance

Pedestrians cross a street lined with the signs of electronic brands in Taipei on Jan. 12, 2016. Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Taiwanese businesses that support the island’s independence won’t be allowed to profit in mainland China, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) said, as the regime punished a Taiwanese conglomerate for allegedly breaking the law.

“The majority of Taiwanese businessmen and enterprises must distinguish right from wrong, stand firm, and draw a clear line with the Taiwan independence separatist forces,” Zhu Fenglian said in a statement on Nov. 22.

TAO is an administrative agency of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under the State Council.

The statement said the regime will protect the rights and interests of enterprises, “but it is never allowed to support ‘Taiwan independence.’”

Taiwanese businesses operating in China appear to be the new target of Beijing; allegations of breaking the law as well as any punishment revolve around the sovereignty of self-ruled Taiwan—which China has claimed as its own, and which the regime claims it will reunify with the mainland.

The announcement followed as Chinese law enforcement across five mainland provinces alleged a series of problems with subsidiaries of the Far Eastern Group, a Taiwanese company. The problems include, but aren’t limited to, tax payment, fire safety, product quality, and environmental protection.

While Zhu didn’t draw a direct link between the company and pro-independence activities, she claimed violators and their connected companies and financiers “must be punished.”

The statement warned businesses against links to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and her independent-minded Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which views Taiwan as a de facto nation called the Republic of China (ROC), although without a formal declaration for independence.

Earlier this month, the Chinese regime blacklisted three high-profile Taiwanese officials of the ruling DPP as “stubborn Taiwan secessionists,” including Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang, Parliament Speaker You Si-kun, and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

Beijing also vowed to make those who support “Taiwan independence” criminally liable for life.

While the Far Eastern Group hasn’t responded to requests for comment, one of its listed units, Far Eastern New Century Corp, said its textile operations in China was inspected by law enforcement during the second quarter.

It added it had made almost all the changes that had been required, after being fined 36.5 million yuan ($5.72 million).

Taiwan’s government has yet to comment.

As the democratic island across the strait has faced increasing pressure from the CCP, Taiwanese celebrities have also come under fire regarding expressing support for Taiwan. Some from Taiwan have chosen to congratulate Beijing on the birthday of the Chinese regime rather than the national day of the ROC.

Driven by mainland China’s vast market, some Taiwanese luminaries have openly declared support for Beijing’s political narrative—its “One China” principle—asserting sovereignty over Taiwan. Some have been asked to apologize when they were seen to be supporting the ROC.

Chou Tzu-yu, a Taiwanese teenage pop singer in a Korean band, was forced to bow and read out a scripted apology in 2016 for previously waving Taiwan’s national flag on a Korean variety show. It was deemed to be pro-independence by mainland China.

Reuters contributed to this report.