Tsao and Shen would be barred from travelling to China, Hong Kong and Macau, the statement added, while all affiliated enterprises and businesses linked to the pair would not be allowed to “seek profit” in China.
“The Black Bear Academy with the support of the DPP authorities and external interference forces, has brazenly cultivated violent Taiwan independence elements and openly engaged in ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities under the guise of lectures, training, outdoor drills,” the statement read, citing spokesman Chen Binhua.
Shen, speaking to reporters, described this as a provocation from China, rather than the other way round, and said it reflected Beijing’s great sensitivity towards any civilian defence initiatives in Taiwan.
“They will definitely use the threat of (economic) sanctions to conduct further grey zone warfare against Taiwan,” he said.
Tsao is the founder and former chairman of chip maker United Microelectronics Corp, and has said he hoped his programmes would help train millions of “civilian warriors” through a mix of survival, military and counter surveillance and technology courses.
Tsao and UMC couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
