Beijing confirms investigation of Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe as minister orders safeguard of national security
- Mainland Affairs Council minister says Beijing ‘now has long-arm jurisdiction over Taiwan, which obviously shows intimidation and suppression’
- Meanwhile, mainland State Security Minister Chen Yixin conducts inspection tour of Beijing bureau, calling on it to keep ‘core secrets’ safe
Beijing says it is investigating Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe for allegedly “endangering national security”, as mainland authorities ramp up the use of security-related laws to punish individuals from the self-ruled island.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
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Confirmation that the state security body is investigating him comes days after Taiwanese media reported Li missing after he travelled to Shanghai in March to visit relatives.
Taiwanese Minister of Mainland Affairs Council Chiu Tai-san on Wednesday said the island’s government would discuss the case with Li’s relatives and offer them help. Chiu did not give further details of Li’s situation, according to Taiwanese outlet UDN News.
He said “the mainland now has long-arm jurisdiction over Taiwan, which obviously shows intimidation and suppression of Taiwan”.