China Targets Taiwanese Conglomerate Far Eastern Group That It Claims Is Funding Pro-Independence Political Forces In Island

China has fined the Far Eastern Group (FEG), a Taiwan-based conglomerate that operates in several Chinese provinces, charging that it violated business regulations by funding Taiwanese politicians and political parties supporting independence of the Island.

"Enterprises and individuals acting as benefactors of diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists will never be allowed to make money on the Chinese mainland, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday(Nov 23).

The spokesperson said that no Taiwan enterprise is allowed to back 'separatist activities' and undermine the cross-Strait relationship while operating their businesses on the mainland at the same time.

Far Eastern Group was fined about 36.5 million yuan ($5.7 million) for violations of environmental protection regulations and other matters. A number of Far Eastern units in China were also fined over allegations of breaching laws and regulations.

Far Eastern Group, which has businesses across a range of sectors donated NT$58 million ($2.09 million) to the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). While it also donated to the China-friendly Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), Far Eastern was DPP's biggest donor, according to statistics posted online by authorities on the island.

Other DPP donors in 2020 included Highwealth Construction, which donated NT$11.6 million and Hon Hai Technology Group, known as Foxconn, which financed NT$4 million.

Chinese official news agency Xinhua News Agency reported that investigations by law enforcement departments on firms with links looks to pro-independence Taiwanese politicians are underway in East China's Jiangsu and Jiangxi, Central China's Hubei and Southwest China's Sichuan provinces.

The Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan’s top mainland policy planner, said on Tuesday (Nov 23) the island’s government would “work out necessary measures to counter the malicious actions of the Chinese Communists accordingly” to protect the security of the island and the interest of the public.

It condemned the mainland for trying to disrupt the island’s democratic operations and political contribution system by punishing Taiwanese firms for their donations.