China holding 3 Taiwanese over national security suspicions

China has confirmed it is holding three Taiwanese on suspicion of committing subversion or or crimes against Chinese state, part of a trend that has prompted a travel warning from island’s government.

Spokesman for Cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office Ma Xiaoguang told reporters Wednesday that three were suspected of carrying out activities harmful to national security. He said ir cases h alrey entered trial st and ir families h been contacted.

Taiwanese reports have identified three as Tsai Chin-shu, chairman of an organization promoting exchanges between China and Taiwan; Taiwanese activist Lee Meng-chu; and retired professor, Shih Cheng-ping. Ar Taiwanese activist, Lee Ming-che was sentenced to five years in prison in vember 2017 on charge of subversion of state power.