China is holding and investigating Taiwanese professor Shih Cheng-ping with accusations of engaging in activities "dangerous to national security".

Ma Xiaoping, spokesman for the Chinese Government Office on Taiwan affairs, confirmed the information today.

Shih Cheng-ping, a retired professor at Taiwan Pedagogical University, chief economist of China Huaxia Group, was previously reported as "disappearing" by Taiwan media after arriving in Mainland China. in August last year.

Shih is one of three Taiwanese confirmed by Beijing to go to mainland China. In September Beijing announced that it was investigating Taiwanese scholar Tsai Chin-shu and Lee Meng-chu, the organizer of volunteer activities, on charges of "conducting activities that endanger national security". .

"We always punish criminal activities that endanger national security under the law. The relevant department is handling the case in accordance with the law and has informed the families of these three people," Ma said. said in today's press conference.

China has always considered Taiwan a part of its territory waiting for reunification, including by force if necessary. President Xi Jinping said that Taiwan's return to China under the "one-country, two-regime" model is the best way to protect the rights and interests of the islanders. Relations between the two straits of the Taiwan Strait have been cooling since Thai Anh Van, who did not recognize the "One China" policy, came to power in mid-2016.