China holding third Taiwanese man on security grounds: state media

Beijing is investigating a Taiwanese man on suspicion of engaging in activities that endanger national security, Chinese state media reported Wednesday -- the third such case to come to light in three months.

Shih Cheng-ping, a retired professor at the National Taiwan Normal University and chief economist for Chinese conglomerate Huaxia Group, disappeared after entering the mainland in August of last year, according to Taiwanese media.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said Wednesday that Shih was being investigated "for suspected activities endangering national security," according to state-run People's Daily.

Shih is one of three Taiwanese residents that Beijing has confirmed it is holding on national security grounds after entering mainland China.

In September, Beijing confirmed that Tsai Chin-shu, a Taiwanese scholar who headed an organisation promoting relations between Taiwan and China, was under investigation after he disappeared in July 2018, according to Taiwanese media.

In the same month, China also confirmed a second case: Taiwanese democracy activist Lee Meng-chu, who went missing after crossing into China from Hong Kong in August.

"We have always attacked criminal activities that endanger national security in accordance with the law," said Ma at Wednesday's press conference.

"The relevant department is handling the case strictly according to the law and has already notified the families of these three individuals," he added.

Relations are tense between the Communist-led mainland and the democratically ruled island.

Taiwan has been run as a de facto independent nation for the last seven decades but Beijing sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.