TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  Taiwan criticized China’s judicial system on Wednesday for the lack of transparency in the sentencing of Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe (李延賀).

China confirmed Monday that Li, chief editor of Taiwanese publisher Gusa (八旗文化), also known by his pen name Fu Cha (富察), was convicted in February of “inciting secession” in China, per CNA. He was sentenced to three years in prison by the Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court.

Li, a Chinese national with residency in Taiwan, was in Shanghai to visit family and deal with residency matters. Li was detained by Chinese authorities in 2023 "on suspicion of engaging in activities endangering national security.”

It remains unclear what Li did that led to his conviction. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council criticized the case's secrecy, saying China did not reveal Li's conviction until March 17 and did not disclose his sentencing until Wednesday. This contradicts China’s statement that the trial was public, it added. 

Gusa wrote on Facebook, "All colleagues at Gusa Publishing feel angry and uneasy.” "We can't see the indictment, don't know what exactly Fu Cha was convicted for doing, don't know the sentence, and are even more uncertain about whether he can return home after serving his sentence,” the publishing company said. 

Gusa has printed books critical of the Chinese Communist Party. According to MAC, “The fundamental purpose of the Communist Party's detention of Li Yanhe is to clamp down on Taiwan's publishing, academic, and cultural circles.

MAC reaffirmed the need for citizens to be aware of the risks of traveling to China.