Fu Cha (Li Yanhe), editor-in-chief of Taiwan's Eight Banners Culture, traveled to Shanghai in March 2023 to visit relatives and plan to cancel his Chinese household registration. He later lost contact and was arrested. The first-instance verdict in his case was announced on February 17. According to Central News Agency, China's Taiwan Affairs Office announced on the 26th that Fu Cha was charged with "inciting secession" and sentenced to three years in prison, one year of deprivation of political rights, and confiscation of 50,000 yuan in personal property.
Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of mainland China (Taiwan Affairs Office), held a regular press conference on the morning of the 26th. When answering questions from the media, he said that the Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People's Court had publicly announced the verdict on February 17 this year. During the execution of the criminal law, relevant parties will protect the rights of the parties and their families in accordance with the law.
Chen Binhua stated that the defendant pleaded guilty in court and did not appeal within the statutory appeal period. The relevant verdict has taken effect in accordance with the law. The defendant and his family are aware of the sentence.
In response, the Working Group in Support of Fucha issued the following statement on the 26th:
"Two years and five days after Fu Cha disappeared in Shanghai, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua announced today that Fu Cha was charged with "inciting secession" and sentenced to three years in prison, deprivation of political rights for one year, and confiscation of 50,000 yuan in personal property.
We strongly condemn the Chinese Communist Party's illegal detention and punishment of Fu Cha. Fu Cha was legally editing and publishing in Taiwan. What right does the CCP have to try him?
We demand that the CCP immediately and unconditionally release Fu Cha and allow him to return to Taiwan and reunite with his family as soon as possible."
