China’s Taiwan Affairs Office announced on Monday sanctions against Taiwanese businessman Robert Tsao and lawmaker Puma Shen, banning them from entering mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. The two are accused of promoting Taiwanese independence and engaging in separatist activities.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, highlighted their involvement with the “Black Bear Academy,” an organization that allegedly fosters pro-independence sentiments among Taiwanese youth, supported by the Democratic Progressive Party and external forces. The office also stated that the activities of Tsao and Shen pose serious threats to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, undermining the interests of people on both sides.

For their involvement, the office has included Shen and Tsao in a list of so-called “Taiwan independence diehards” and imposed sanctions against them, including restrictions on their financial and institutional cooperation with mainland organizations apart from banning entry to China.

Chen warned that advocates of Taiwanese independence would face significant repercussions for their actions, urging Taiwanese citizens to oppose separatist movements and promote cross-strait exchanges and cooperation.

In June, China introduced the death penalty for “particularly serious” cases involving supporters of Taiwanese independence The guidelines stipulate that severe punishments should be imposed on those identified as leaders or significant participants in secessionist activists and committed acts causing “significant harm to the state and its people.”

In response, Shen stated that the sanctions are part of China’s “United Front” campaign to boost cross-strait reunification, along with media warfare and military actions around Taiwan.

Following Taiwan’s National Day on October 10, China conducted on Monday joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait, which Taiwan and the US described as a military provocation that undermined peace and stability in the area.