LI MINGZHE, or Lee Ming-che, a former staff member of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is under investigation on the Chinese mainland on suspicion of endangering national security, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (TAOSC) yesterday.

    Earlier reports say that Lee, 42, cleared immigration in Macao on March 19 and never showed up for a planned meeting later that day with a friend in Zhuhai in Guangdong Province.

    In response, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson of the TAOSC, said that Lee is under investigation and is in good health.

    “Regarding Lee Ming-che’s case, because he is suspected of pursing activities harmful to national security, the investigation into him is being handled in line with legal procedures,” Ma told reporters at a news briefing.

    “Developments of the investigation will be disclosed in a timely fashion,” Ma said. “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.”

    “We will not impose restrictions on Taiwan compatriots without legal grounding,” Ma added.

    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.

    Ma noted that such arrangements were meant to protect Taiwan compatriots’ rights.

    Also at the press conference, Ma said the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, and “Taiwan independence” can never be allowed.

    Ma said that “Taiwan independence” was against the fundamental interests of Taiwan compatriots and the Chinese nation, had no future and was doomed to no support from Taiwan’s public.

    “We always pursue policies to support cross-Strait economic cooperation and to promote cross-Strait economic and social integration,” Ma said, adding that compatriots on both sides of the Strait belong to a community with a shared future.

    When asked about Taiwan’s activities with international organizations, Ma said arrangements had to be made through consultations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan under the “One China” principle.

    Responding to the recent visit to Taiwan by Japanese Senior Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Jiro Akama, Ma said the visit had severely violated the spirit of the four political documents agreed to by China and Japan.

    (Xinhua)