Taiwanese Activist Yang Chih-yuan Sentenced to Nine Years

Yang Chih-yuan, a Taiwanese political activist advocating for Taiwan's independence, has been sentenced to nine years in prison by a court in Wenzhou, China. Yang was found guilty of secession-related activities, including promoting Taiwan's statehood and its membership in the United Nations. Taiwan has condemned the ruling, warning its citizens about the risks of traveling to mainland China. The conviction is seen as part of China's broader efforts to intimidate pro-independence supporters in Taiwan and comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Yang's arrest in 2022 and subsequent trial have drawn significant criticism from Taiwan's government, which views the charges as a violation of human rights. The case has heightened concerns over China's aggressive stance toward Taiwan, especially following recent military drills and diplomatic pressures from Beijing.