Taiwanese Activist Sentenced to Nine Years in Mainland China, Prompting Travel Advisory from Taipei

Taiwan Issues Travel Caution as Mainland China Sentences Taiwanese National to Prison for 'Separatism'

Taipei has issued a travel warning following the sentencing of 34-year-old Yang Chih-yuan to nine years in prison by mainland China for "actively promoting Taiwan's independence," an act Beijing strongly opposes.

The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), the mainland agency responsible for cross-strait relations, reported that Yang was convicted due to his prolonged engagement in separatist activities. He was noted for fervently promoting 'Taiwan independence' and playing a significant role in organizations like the 'Taiwan National Party' that support this cause.

He was also charged with trying to advance the notion of Taiwan as an independent state and advocating for its inclusion in the United Nations, according to mainland state news agency Xinhua, which referenced TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua.

The verdict from the Intermediate People’s Court in Wenzhou, located in the coastal Zhejiang province, was issued on August 26, although the specifics were not disclosed until the following Friday.