Taipei: The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Wednesday refrained from disclosing details regarding the sentencing of Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe, who was sentenced to three years in prison for inciting secession in China. The MAC also dismissed Beijing's criticism that Taipei is leveraging the case to tarnish China's judicial system.
According to Focus Taiwan, Chinese authorities announced Li's sentencing earlier in the day. Li Yanhe, known by his pen name Fu Cha, is the founder of Taiwan-based Gusa Publishing. He was sentenced by the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court for "inciting to split the country," as stated by Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesperson Chen Binhua during a press conference in Beijing.
Li's sentence includes a three-year prison term, deprivation of political rights for one year, and the confiscation of CNY$50,000 (US$6,889) of his personal property. Chen noted that Li did not appeal the ruling, making it final. While Li's family was informed of his sentencing, no information was provided about his current health or whereabouts.
The specifics of Li's actions leading to the charges remain unclear. A Chinese national with residency in Taiwan, Li was detained in March 2023 after traveling to China for family and residency-related matters, subsequently becoming the subject of an investigation by Chinese state security officials.
In Taipei, the MAC acknowledged awareness of the situation but cited the family's wishes in its decision to withhold further details. The MAC emphasized that the case underscores the authoritarian nature of the Chinese Communist Party and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with travel to China.
Conversely, Chen Binhua accused Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities of exploiting the case to malign China's judicial system, alleging ulterior motives behind their actions.
The MAC countered by condemning the "complete secrecy" surrounding the case. It highlighted discrepancies in the TAO's timeline of public disclosure, asserting that the trial's lack of due process undermines its credibility. The council reiterated that its critique of China's judicial proceedings is justified.
Additionally, the MAC accused Beijing of using the case as a propaganda tool to demonstrate political success and instill fear.
Li, born in 1971 in Liaoning, China, is married to a Taiwanese citizen and has been a resident of Taiwan since 2013. He established Gusa in Taipei in 2009, a publishing house linked to the Book Republic Publishing Group. The publisher is known for producing works critical of the Chinese Communist Party and addressing sensitive topics.
The case highlights the challenges faced by Chinese spouses of Taiwanese nationals seeking permanent residency in Taiwan. Li's arrest occurred during a trip to China, ostensibly to cancel his household registration, a necessary step towards obtaining Taiwanese citizenship.