This undated file photo shows Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday announced punishments on organizations related to die-hard elements seeking "Taiwan independence."

"Taiwan Foundation for Democracy" and "International Cooperation and Development Fund" have attacked and smeared the mainland, and used money and other means as bait to expand the so-called "international space" of Taiwan, attempting to undermine the international support for the one-China principle, said the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council

Under the guise of "democracy" and "cooperation and development," "Taiwan Foundation for Democracy" and "International Cooperation and Development Fund" have wantonly carried out "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in the international arena. They have gone all out to ingratiate themselves with external anti-China forces, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the office.

They have also attacked and smeared the mainland, and used money and other means as bait to expand the so-called "international space" of Taiwan, attempting to undermine the international support for the one-China principle, Ma said.

The mainland has decided to take punitive measures against the above-mentioned foundations, banning them from cooperating with mainland organizations, enterprises or individuals.

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The mainland will also punish, in accordance with the law, organizations, enterprises or individuals that offer funds or services to the foundations, and take other necessary measures, Ma said.

The mainland will prohibit mainland organizations, enterprises or individuals from any transaction or cooperation with Speedtech Energy, Hyweb Technology, Skyla, SkyEyes GPS Technology and other enterprises that have donated money to the foundations. Heads of relevant enterprises will be banned from entering the mainland, Ma said. 

Customs action

Separately, relevant authorities on the Chinese mainland have announced suspension of the entry of citrus fruits and two types of fish products from the Taiwan region starting Wednesday. 

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Relevant authorities on the Chinese mainland have announced suspension of the entry of citrus fruits and two types of fish products from the Taiwan region starting Wednesday

The entry of citrus fruits including grapefruits, lemons and oranges, as well as chilled largehead hairtail and frozen horse mackerel from Taiwan will be suspended in accordance with the mainland's relevant regulations, and food safety requirements, said Ma.

In the meantime, the export of natural sand from the mainland to Taiwan will also be suspended, he added.

Since last year, customs authorities on the Chinese mainland have, several times, detected Planococcus minor, as well as excessive residues of fenthion and dimethoate in citrus fruits imported from Taiwan, the General Administration of Customs (GAC), confirming the action, said in a separate statement later Wednesday.

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In June this year, packages of chilled largehead hairtail and frozen horse mackerel from Taiwan tested positive for COVID-19, it noted.

The decisions were made to prevent risks, the GAC said.