China formally arrested a Taiwan political activist eight months after he was detained and amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
The activist’s name is Yang Chih-yuan. Chinese authorities detained him hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrapped up her visit to Taipei.
During Pelosi’s visit, Beijing fired missiles, and kicked off military drills, encircling Taiwan by sea.
After disappearing into police custody, there was no news about Yang for months until this Tuesday when Chinese authorities announced that Yang’s arrest had been approved on secession charges.
Taiwan has reached out to the mainland about Yang but has not received a direct response. Taiwan authorities maintain that he’s innocent.