TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwanese publisher Li Yanhe (李延賀), also known as Fucha (富察), was jailed for three years, China revealed Wednesday.

The publisher, who originally held Chinese citizenship, was detained during a family visit to Shanghai. A court sentenced him for subversion on Feb. 17, but his jail term was not made public at the time.

Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said at a regular weekly news conference Wednesday that Li received a three-year sentence, with his civil rights suspended for one year, the Liberty Times reported. The state also confiscated assets valued at 50,000 yuan (NT$227,000, US$6,880) as part of his punishment for “encouraging secession,” according to Chen.

The spokesperson said Li’s trial at the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court had been public, open, and fair. The editor had admitted his guilt but would file an appeal against the sentence, Chen said.

However, the Mainland Affairs Council described the process as a “show trial” meant to intimidate Taiwan’s publishing sector. MAC also warned citizens to be careful when considering traveling to China. 

The Gusa publishing house where Li worked reportedly sold several books that differed from Chinese communist doctrine.