Mainland criticizes Taiwan's DPP and separatists for political smear tactics

The Chinese mainland on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities and diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for colluding to smear the mainland for their own political gain.

In June 2025, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office announced sanctions against a company headed by Shen Tu-cheng, the father of Shen Pao-yang, who was designated by the mainland as a diehard "Taiwan independence" separatist in 2024. According to a recent media report, Shen Tu-cheng continued to purchase goods from the mainland and sell them overseas for a profit through another company under his name, VWAY.

Zhang Han, a spokeswoman for the office, said at a press conference that the facts of the case are clear and the evidence is conclusive. Shen Pao-yang had resorted to various forms of sophistry in an attempt to mislead the public and divert attention, she said. "This fully exposes his guilty conscience, cowardice, and despicable character," Zhang added.

On Oct 14, the mainland announced sanctions against VWAY, the new company owned by Shen Tu-cheng, including a ban on the company conducting transactions or cooperation with mainland organizations, enterprises, and individuals. Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" claimed that the mainland's sanctions and related measures were intended to "interfere in Taiwan's elections".

Zhang stressed that the mainland protects the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots in accordance with the law but will never tolerate diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists and their affiliated enterprises that undermine the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and obstruct cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation.

"The DPP authorities and diehard 'Taiwan independence' separatists are colluding with each other and taking the opportunity to attack and smear the mainland for their own political gain," Zhang said, describing their actions as "despicable".