Taipei: Li Yanhe, the founder of Taiwan-based Gusa Publishing, has been sentenced to three years in prison by Chinese authorities for inciting secession, according to Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO).

According to Focus Taiwan, TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua announced at a press briefing that Li, also known by his pen name Fu Cha, was found guilty by the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court of "inciting to split the country." Li was also deprived of political rights for one year, and CNY$50,000 (US$6,889) of his personal property was confiscated. Chen noted that Li did not appeal, making the ruling final.

Chen stated that Li's family has been informed of the situation, but did not provide details on Li's health or whereabouts. Li, a Chinese national with residency in Taiwan, was arrested two years ago after arriving in China to visit family and address residency-related issues.

The specific actions that led to Li's charges and conviction remain unclear. Born in Liaoning, China, in 1971, Li is married to a Taiwanese woman and has been a resident of Taiwan since 2013. In 2009, he founded Gusa in Taipei, a publishing house affiliated with the Book Republic Publishing Group. The publisher has released books often critical of the Chinese Communist Party and covering sensitive topics.

Li's detention in 2023 caused concern in the cultural and book publishing sectors. Over 350 scholars, authors, and cultural figures issued a joint statement calling for his release and expressing worry about the potential chilling effect on these sectors.

The case also highlights the risks faced by Chinese spouses of Taiwanese nationals when seeking permanent residency in Taiwan. Li reportedly returned to China to rescind his household registration, a requirement under the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area for Chinese spouses applying for permanent residency in Taiwan.

Gusa Publishing expressed sadness over Li's imprisonment, stating they await the return of their chief editor. An informal group monitoring Li's case, led by veteran journalist Lee Chih-te, condemned the Chinese authorities for "illegally detaining and punishing Fu Cha" and urged for Li's immediate release to reunite with his family in Taiwan.