Firms backing island's 'independence' while operating on mainland not allowed

There are more names on a blacklist of secessionists who support "Taiwan independence", the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday.

On Nov 5, the office unveiled the blacklist, naming three secessionists: Su Tseng-chang, head of Taiwan's executive body; Yu Shyi-kun, who is in charge of the local "legislature" in Taiwan; and Joseph Wu Jau-shieh, the island's head of external affairs.

A number of measures to punish those on the blacklist were also revealed, including a travel ban to the Chinese mainland and restrictions on enterprises related to them and their financial backers doing business on the mainland.

The office's spokeswoman, Zhu Fenglian, said at a news conference on Wednesday that the secessionists have endangered peace across the Taiwan Straits, and the mainland is punishing them in accordance with the law. She also confirmed that there are more people on the list.

"We have noted that some secessionists have even claimed it was 'regretful' that they were not included on the list," she said, adding that "the day will come when time is up and they feel real 'regretful'".

On Monday, Xinhua News Agency reported that several companies funded by the Taiwan-based Far Eastern Group had been fined for violating laws and regulations on the mainland.

Law enforcement departments in Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hubei and Sichuan provinces and Shanghai were investigating the lawbreaking activities of chemical fiber, textile and cement factories belonging to the group's enterprises on the mainland.

The group's illegal activities were mainly in the fields of environmental protection, land use, employees' occupational health, work safety, fire control, taxation and product quality, according to the report.

Fines and taxes totaling about 474 million yuan ($74.2 million) have been imposed on Far Eastern Group, and the idle construction land of one of its companies was confiscated. The investigation is still underway, Zhu said.

While not clarifying whether the group is connected to "Taiwan independence" activities, Zhu said the fundamental purpose of cracking down on secessionists and their financial supporters in accordance with the law is to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, as well as the interests of compatriots on both sides.

Zhu said that the mainland encourages and supports normal economic and trade exchanges between the two sides, and protects the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots and companies.

"However, no one or any company is allowed to provide financial aid for 'Taiwan independence' secessionists while making money on the mainland," she added.

Zhu called on Taiwan enterprises to draw a clear line with the separatist forces and take concrete measures to promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

According to Taiwan media reports, Far Eastern Group made a large contribution to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and directly supported Su, one of those named on the blacklist.