Monterey Park Publisher Back After Taiwan Incident

The publisher of a Monterey Park-based Chinese-language newspaper, who was arrested in Taiwan for allegedly printing and distributing Communist Chinese propaganda, returned to Los Angeles Tuesday and declared that she “did nothing wrong in Taiwan.”

“I deny all charges against me,” Lee Ya-ping, 62, told reporters at a Los Angeles International Airport press conference.

Lee’s arrest in mid-September for allegedly publishing Communist Chinese propaganda in her newspaper, the International Daily News, prompted protests from the U.S. State Department and members of Congress who criticized the arrest as an infringement of free speech rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. Lee, a San Marino resident, is a Taiwan citizen with immigrant status in the United States.

Taiwan authorities later shifted the focus of the charges against Lee away from her publishing activities in the United States and claimed instead that she had illegally distributed banned copies of her publication in Taiwan.

Equivalent to Probation

An announcement at the time of Lee’s release in late September alleged that she had admitted to illegal distribution of her newspaper and had expressed “deep remorse.” A military court assigned Lee to a two-year term of “protective guidance,” which a Taiwan spokesman in Los Angeles described as roughly equivalent to probation.

In a prepared statement Tuesday, Lee declared: “I never expressed remorse for what I did in Taiwan--neither in writing, nor verbally, for I did nothing wrong in Taiwan.”

In response to questions, which Lee answered through an editor who translated for her, Lee said that during days of lengthy interrogation she was told that she must sign a confession before she could be released. She finally signed a 1 1/2-page “confession” that contained “very weak language” saying, “I was regretful for what I did in this newspaper,” she said.

Lee said she also admitted having shown a copy of her newspaper’s Sunday supplement to an acquaintance in Taiwan who was curious about her publication.

Long Interrogations

Lee said that while in custody she was subjected to daily interrogations from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., with a break for lunch.

“Verbally they used harsh language, but physically they did not treat me harshly,” she said. “Of course, at the end of the day I felt mentally and physically tired.”

Lee’s son, Simon Chen, who is general manager of the newspaper, and Anthony Yuen, editor in chief, both said that the incident will have no effect on the newspaper’s editorial policy. The newspaper supports peaceful reunification of Taiwan and China, but tries to steer a neutral course in the political rivalry between the Nationalist-ruled island and the Communist-ruled mainland, they said.

Lee said she hopes that her departure from Taiwan “is by no means an exile from the country I love.” She said she believes that she will be able to return to Taiwan when she wishes.

Chen, who traveled to Taiwan to bring his mother back to Los Angeles, said her Taiwan passport includes a permit to return to the island.

Not Afraid to Return

The International Daily News continues to operate a Taipei branch, and Lee and her husband, Tao Chen, have business investments on the island. Lee said she is not afraid to return to Taiwan because it is a “democratic” nation under the rule of law. She attributed her arrest to a “misunderstanding.”

Asked about his mother’s seeming lack of anger about the incident, Chen said that it was “a nightmare” for her, but that the family is very happy about her safe return.

“This is a bad dream anyway, so we’ll just try to forget it,” Chen said.

After the press conference, Lee was greeted by about 40 relatives, friends and staffers, including four grandchildren who presented her with flowers.