Fuchan Released from Prison but Still Unable to Return to Taiwan; MAC Reaffirms Awareness of Case Details

(Central News Agency, reporter Lu Chia-jung, Taipei, 11th) Fuchan (Li Yanhe), editor-in-chief of Bāqí Culture, remains barred from leaving mainland China after his release from prison due to a 'supplementary penalty,' preventing his return to Taiwan. Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh stated that the government is aware of the relevant circumstances of the case but must respect the family's wishes and therefore will not comment on the case. He also criticized that under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), there is no room for press or speech freedom.

Regarding whether Fuchan has been released from prison in mainland China and when he might be allowed to leave and return to Taiwan, Zhang Han, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated yesterday only that the case is being handled according to law and the legal rights of the individual are being protected.

Liang Wen-chieh emphasized today regarding Fuchan's case that the family's wishes must be respected, so no explanation will be provided. However, he also stated that Fuchan, as the editor-in-chief of a Taiwanese publishing house, published books only in Taiwan that do not enter mainland China. Nevertheless, the CCP authorities considered these books to be subversive of the state and inciting separatist sentiments, thus extending their long-arm jurisdiction to Taiwan's publishing industry, which is extremely egregious.

Liang pointed out that the public should be warned not to believe there is any room for press or speech freedom under the rule of the CCP.

Fuchan was detained by Shanghai state security authorities on March 21, 2023. In February 2025, the Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People's Court issued a first-instance verdict, sentencing him to three years in prison for 'inciting secession,' depriving him of political rights for one year, and confiscating personal property of RMB 50,000 (approximately NT$230,000).

Bāqí Culture publishes many books on Chinese and world history, many of which offer perspectives different from the traditional Han-centric, grand-unification historical view, introducing new viewpoints to the Taiwanese book market. Although Chinese authorities have not stated the reason, these non-mainstream ideologies may be the cause of the sentencing. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150611