Beijing Says Private Companies Are Not Allowed To Support Taiwan Independence If They Want To Do Business In China

85C store in Shanghai (by Tzuhsun Hsu, via Wikimedia Commons

China said that private companies are not allowed to support Taiwan independence if they want to do business in the country.

On August 16 Long Mingbiao (龙明彪), deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, the Chinese agency tasked with implementing the Communist Party's Taiwan policy, slammed companies that support Taiwan independence.

"We welcome Taiwanese companies' investment and development on the mainland, but we will absolutely not allow any company to make money on the mainland while at the same time supporting Taiwan independence forces and activities," Long said.

Those remarks came after Chinese netizens called for a boycott of the Taiwanese company 85C Bakery and Cafe, which they accused of supporting Taiwan independence.

On August 14 Taiwanese President Ts'ai Ing-wen had visited an 85C cafe in Los Angeles during her stopover in the United States en route to Paraguay. Pictures of Ts'ai receiving a gift package from the store's employees and signing an autograph went viral, sparking Chinese netizens' angry reaction.

85C issued a statement on August 15 affirming its adherence to Beijing's "one-China" policy and its opposition to Taiwan independence. The company's stakes in China are high, as the Chinese market makes up 70% of its revenue.

The share price of Gourmet Master Co Ltd, the parent company of 85C Bakery Cafe, fell by 7.50% amid the controversy.

As Hong Kong-based Apple Daily reported, on August 15 government officials in the Chinese province of Fujian made a surprise inspection in 85C branches located in the towns of Shuitou and Ximei. The authorities allege that the stores violated hygiene regulations.

85C's products have also been taken off the websites of online food retailers such as Dazhong Dianping, Meituan, and Eleme.

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