Bounty issued for 2 wanted 'separatists'

Police in Quanzhou, Fujian province, have issued a notice offering a bounty for information on two Taiwan online influencers accused of advocating separatism and inciting division.

The suspects — Wen Tzu-yu, known online as Pa Chiung, and Chen Po-yuan, a rapper known as Minnan Wolf — are accused of spreading rhetoric promoting the island's "independence" and resisting the Chinese mainland, authorities said.

Individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension of the suspects could receive rewards ranging from 50,000 yuan ($7,046) to 250,000 yuan, according to police.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Thursday that the two suspects have repeatedly published and disseminated content advocating for resistance against the mainland, promoting reliance on the United States for "independence" and inciting national division.

He said the pair smeared mainland policies benefiting Taiwan residents and targeted mainland-born spouses and individuals who support peaceful cross-Strait development, adding that their actions have had a "vile influence".

According to Taiwan media reports, when a mainland-born spouse living in Taiwan was expelled by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in March for previously calling for reunification, the two online influencers surrounded and verbally abused her as she was forced to part from her family, sparking public criticism.

The two have played a leading role in fueling hostility across the Strait and have become "anti-China vanguards" of the Lai Ching-te administration, which has labeled the mainland an "external hostile force", Taiwan's United Daily News reported in April.

Chen said it was a just and necessary move by mainland authorities to punish people committing crimes related to splitting the country and inciting division, responding to public calls on both sides of the Strait for accountability. He encouraged people across the Strait to provide information to authorities and oppose "Taiwan independence" activities.

In October, police in Xiamen, Fujian, also issued a bounty notice for clues related to illegal activities by 18 core members of Taiwan's military "psychological warfare unit", accused of conducting disinformation campaigns, intelligence gathering, tactical psychological warfare, propaganda broadcasts and mobilization to incite secession.

In June, the mainland announced a ban on a Taiwan company linked to Shen Pao-yang, also known as Puma Shen, a supporter of "Taiwan independence", prohibiting it from doing business or cooperating with organizations, companies or individuals on the mainland.

Li Zhenguang, dean of the Taiwan research institute at Beijing Union University, said there are laws in place to address separatism and that those who seek to split the country "will certainly be made to confess their guilt and face legal sanctions, no matter when or where".