Mr Yao, the chief editor of Morning Bell Press, had been working with US-based author and dissident Yu Jie on Chinese Godfather Xi Jinping, a book about the current Chinese president which was scheduled for release in April.
Police have not revealed the nature of the charges against Yao, whose wife has said that the elderly publisher is suffering from heart disease and that he has repeatedly fainted during his time in custody.
Ola Wallin, the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee Chair, said “We are deeply concerned about the health and wellbeing of Yao Wentian, and we call for the immediate suspension of his unjust detention. If the Chinese government is serious about its new reforms, then it’s time to show it in practice.”
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