China announced on Thursday that it has issued arrest warrants for 20 Taiwanese individuals accused of conducting hacking operations within mainland China on behalf of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). At the same time, Beijing banned all commercial dealings with Sicuens International Company Ltd., a Taiwanese business led by Puma Shen, a member of Taiwan’s legislature, and his father, whom Chinese authorities label as staunch supporters of Taiwan independence.
Officials from Guangzhou, a major manufacturing center in southern China, named Ning Enwei as the leader of the alleged cyber activities but did not specify the exact nature of the crimes. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities targeted Sicuens, a company known for sourcing bicycle parts from China, due to the political affiliations of its owners.
Puma Shen also heads the Kuma Academy, an organization dedicated to preparing Taiwanese civilians for a potential invasion by China. The academy promotes self-defense skills and awareness of misinformation campaigns during both peace and conflict.
The DPP quickly rejected China’s accusations as baseless and politically motivated. Michael Chen, acting director of the DPP’s International Affairs, described the charges as a tactic by Beijing to create tension, emphasizing that China itself is the main source of cyberattacks, infiltration, and “gray-zone” warfare—covert tactics short of open conflict.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that Sicuens had engaged in trade with mainland businesses purely for economic gain, but that the Chinese government would not allow companies linked to “hardcore” Taiwan independence advocates to profit on the mainland.
Last year, China already imposed sanctions on Shen and the Kuma Academy, accusing Shen of actively organizing pro-independence activities. The academy’s mission, according to its website, is to foster a “prewar mentality” and build civilian self-defense capabilities to counter disinformation and prepare for wartime scenarios.
In response to rising threats, Taiwan has strengthened its military, while some civilians have set up guerilla training camps.
Puma Shen criticized China’s recent move, saying the ban on Sicuens harms Chinese manufacturers who rely on the company to export products. He called the action “pure ideological manipulation” that sacrifices economic interests to target a foreign lawmaker and his family, calling it a foolish decision by China.
