Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian. Photo: CFP

After the Chinese mainland fined the Far Eastern Group (FEG), a Taiwan-based company operating in several mainland provinces, for violations of business regulations, Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday stressed that the mainland's position of welcoming and supporting Taiwan enterprises to invest and develop on the mainland. However, no one will be allowed to make money on the mainland while providing financial aid to the diehard secessionists.  

The FEG is regarded as one of the biggest sponsors of the pro-secessionists Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), especially a huge supporter of Su Tseng-chang, head of Taiwan's executive body and a diehard secessionist, who has been blacklisted and sanctioned by the mainland.

Recently, law enforcement departments in five provinces found that the chemical fiber textile and cement enterprises invested in the mainland by FEG have a series of violations in environmental protection, employee health, production safety, taxation, product quality and other aspects. Fines and taxes of about 474 million yuan ($74.1 million) have been imposed.

The fundamental purpose of cracking down on and severely punishing diehard secessionists and their donors is to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the vital interests of compatriots across the Taiwan Straits, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson of Taiwan Affairs Office. 

She said that the mainland encourages and supports normal business exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, and protects the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots and companies in accordance with the law. However, no one or company is allowed to sabotage cross-Straits relations by providing financial aid to secessionists while making money on the mainland.

"This attitude is clear and consistent, and Taiwan companies investing in the mainland are well aware of it," said Zhu. "There is no room for ambiguity about whether to adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and whether to oppose or support secessionists."

In response to Taiwan media's hyping that the mainland's moves will cause a "chilling effect" to Taiwan companies in the mainland, Zhu said the mainland's position and attitude of welcoming and supporting Taiwan enterprises to invest and develop on the mainland and protecting their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law remain unchanged.

The mainland is willing to share development opportunities with Taiwan enterprises, provide more equal treatment to them, and continue to deepen integrated development across the Taiwan Straits to bring more benefits to people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, Zhu said.  

We hope that the Taiwan people and enterprises stand firm, draw a clear line with secessionists, and take concrete actions to safeguard and promote the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, Zhu said.

The spokesperson mentioned that relevant policies on the newly-established Beijing Stock Exchange are equally applicable to Taiwan-funded enterprises.

"Taiwan-funded enterprises face greater space and better opportunities to participate in the mainland's multi-tiered capital market system. We welcome all Taiwan businesses and enterprises to seize the opportunity, give full play to their advantages and take an active part in achieving better development," Zhu said.

In response to the recent arrogance of some Taiwan secessionists, the spokesman said it is clear that the sanction list of diehards Taiwan secessionists is by no means limited to three people: Su Tseng-chang; You Si-kun, head of legislative body; and You Si-kun, head of legislative body.

Some secessionists said they felt "regret" that they were not included on the list, but they shouldn't worry,time will come when they will really regret it, Zhu said.

Global Times