TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China confirmed Monday (Oct. 14) that it sanctioned Taiwanese businessperson Robert Tsao (曹興誠) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) for alleged “pro-independence activities.”

Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said Tsao and Shen were added to a list of “Taiwan independence diehards,” per CNA. It said both were associated with Kuma Academy, which “seeks to incite separatism and damage cross-strait relations.” 

Shen co-founded Kuma Academy in 2021 to “cultivate self-defense capability and will to defend Taiwan” among citizens. The civilian defense training program offers survival, military, and counter surveillance and technology courses.

Tsao, the founder and former chair of chip maker United Microelectronics Corporation, in 2022 pledged to provide millions of dollars to Kuma Academy. Tsao, who has become an outspoken advocate for Taiwan’s defense, said he hoped the academy would help train millions of "civilian warriors.” 

A TAO statement said that Kuma Academy, also known as the “Black Bear Academy,” is said to have organized separatist activities to spread “hatred of China to people in Taiwan.” 

Tsao, Shen, and their families will be barred from traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau. All affiliated enterprises and businesses linked to them will not be allowed to conduct activities in China.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council on Monday condemned China’s sanctions against Tsao and Shen. “The Republic of China is a sovereign country and attempts to undermine a free and democratic society will only drive the two sides further apart,” it said.