Human Rights Watch calls for the release of Li Yanhe, a Taiwanese publisher known as Fu Cha, who was sentenced to three years in prison under dubious charges. His case exemplifies efforts to suppress freedom of expression and impacts Taiwan’s publishing landscape. Increasing instances of detention of Taiwanese nationals in China are raising concerns about broader human rights violations and governmental control over literary expression.

Human Rights Watch has urgently called for the Chinese authorities to annul the conviction of Taiwanese publisher Li Yanhe, known by his pen name Fu Cha. Fu, detained since early 2023, was secretly sentenced to three years in prison in February 2025 on charges of “inciting secession.” Since then, the Chinese government has provided minimal information regarding his trial or current detention condition.

Li Yanhe, 54, serves as the editor-in-chief of Gūsa Publishing, a Taiwanese entity that has released translated works covering global issues and history, some of which criticize the Chinese government. Originally a Chinese national, Fu obtained Taiwanese citizenship in 2023 after residing in Taiwan for over a decade. His detention followed a visit to Shanghai in March 2023 to rescind his Chinese household registration to comply with Taiwanese citizenship requirements, after which he was apprehended for publishing works deemed unsatisfactory by the Chinese Communist Party.

Maya Wang, associate director for Human Rights Watch, asserted, “The Chinese authorities have imprisoned Fu Cha for daring to publish books on China that they do not like.” She emphasized that Fu’s unjust case aims to suppress freedom of expression internationally and intimidate Taiwan’s dynamic publishing sector. Such actions breach Fu’s rights, including freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.

Fu was held under a type of pretrial detention known as “designated residential surveillance,” allowing police to keep suspects hidden for up to six months without contact. He has reportedly been subjected to these conditions for two years. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office proclaimed Fu’s conviction was based on an “open trial,” yet only disclosed his sentence following a foreign journalist’s inquiry, raising significant concerns regarding the transparency of the judicial process.

Despite claims by the Chinese government affirming due process, no concrete evidence or legal documentation about his alleged crimes has been provided. Reports indicate that Fu’s family has been subjected to pressure to maintain silence. Taiwanese authorities, condemned the opacity surrounding Fu’s situation and noted that the Chinese government does not recognize Taiwanese nationality, thus barring them from accessing him.

The Chinese Supreme People’s Procuratorate recently categorized Fu’s case and that of Taiwanese political activist Yang Chih-yuan, who received a nine-year sentence for “separatism,” as significant national security issues. This targeting appears to be part of a broader strategy to intimidate Taiwanese citizens and assert Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.

Recent trends have revealed an uptick in Taiwanese nationals being detained in China. In October 2024, three members of the I-Kuan Tao religious group were arrested for alleged illicit activities. Additionally, two members of the Unification Church faced similar fates in early 2025, which resonates with a broader pattern of repression.

Since the repression of freedoms in Hong Kong, Taiwan has become the last significant enclave for independent thought and literature in the Chinese language. The publishing industry in Hong Kong has been stifled since 2015, following the disappearance of book sellers. Fu’s conviction has instilled fear across Taiwan’s publishing realm, reflecting transnational repression.

Wang claimed, “The Chinese government’s wrongful imprisonment of Fu Cha has global implications, affecting every writer who wishes to publish in Chinese.” She urged foreign governments to advocate for Fu’s release and to preserve this important space for Chinese-language readership worldwide.

The case of Li Yanhe underscores the ongoing risks faced by Taiwanese publishers under Chinese scrutiny, highlighting issues related to freedom of expression and human rights. The opacity surrounding his trial and the apparent targeting of his publishing efforts signal a broader pattern of suppression against dissenting voices. Calls for Fu’s release emphasize the need for global advocacy to safeguard literary freedom and protect the integrity of Taiwanese culture. Overall, this situation illustrates the increasing tension between Taiwan and China, with implications for broader human rights issues in the region.

Original Source: www.hrw.org

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