Yang Chih-yuan, a Taiwan political activist has been formally arrested on suspicion of “secession” in China. He was detained in August 2022 amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
The democracy campaigner and pro-independence politician was detained by Chinese state security in Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, just as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrapped up her visit to Taipei.
The Supreme People's Procuratorate approved the request to arrest him after the state security bureau in Wenzhou in Zhejiang province concluded its investigation into the charges against Yang. The state security bureau has handed over the case to the prosecutors for “review and prosecution.” Beijing, in response to Pelosi's visit, conducted military drills and fired missiles over the self-governing island.
Charges levelled against him include support for Taiwan's independence and endangering national security. It isn't clear when Chih-yuan will appear in court.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council told CNN they had repeatedly reached out to mainland authorities about Chih-yuan's detention but had not received a direct response. In 2019, the 33-year-old became the vice chairman of the Taiwan National Party. He has been active in Taiwan’s social movements for more than a decade. China has constantly maintained that Taiwan is its own territory.
