Mainland Chinese police have formally initiated an investigation into Taiwanese legislator Puma Shen, marking Beijing’s latest move targeting individuals it deems to be “diehard Taiwan separatists”.
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On Tuesday, the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau in southwestern China issued a police bulletin on social media, stating Shen had “engaged in criminal activities aimed at splitting the nation by initiating and establishing the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist organisation ‘Kuma Academy’”.
To “resolutely combat” such activities, the bureau said it had launched an investigation into Shen’s “alleged crime of secession” and called on citizens to provide information.
Shen is a lawmaker for Taiwan’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party and serves on the Taiwanese legislature’s Procedure Committee as well as its Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee, researching disinformation campaigns.
The Kuma Academy, established by Shen and Taiwanese chip tycoon Robert Tsao Hsing-cheng, is a civilian training organisation focused on preparing Taiwanese citizens for possible conflict with the mainland.
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The Chongqing bureau also urged the public to report information that could be helpful in investigating Shen.