Island resident under investigation on mainland spying charges

A resident of Taiwan, Lee Ming- che, is under investigation on suspicion of endangering national security, a Chinese mainland official said Wednesday.

“Developments of the investigation will be disclosed in a timely fashion, in line with judicial process,” Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference.

“The mainland will protect the legitimate rights and interests of all Taiwan residents who come to the mainland as long as they abide by regulations and laws,” said the spokesperson.

“We will not impose restrictions on Tai- wan compatriots without legal grounding,” Ma said at the press conference.

Ma also mentioned a document issued in December 2016 that stipulated the special arrangement for the use of probation and community correction for Taiwan residents standing trial on the mainland, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Ma noted that such arrangements were meant to protect Taiwan compatriots’ legal rights. Ma added that Li is currently under investigation and is in good condition.

A joint notice was released on December 15, 2016 by the Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Justice to give special arrangement for Taiwan residents on trial in the Chinese mainland.

Lee, a former employee at Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party and a current NGO worker, entered the Chinese mainland via Macao on March 19, which was the last time his family heard from him, the Taiwan- based chinatimes. com reported.