Chinese nationals deported from Taiwan
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The move is a first of its kind in more than a year of rising tensions.
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Deportations have become uncommon as of late
According to officials on Thursday, Taiwan has begun deporting Chinese individuals for the first time in more than a year, after China's repatriation of a Taiwanese fugitive in a rare show of cooperation as tensions escalate.
Under a 2009 deal, police from both sides frequently returned fugitives to their respective territories, but deportations have become more infrequent since President Tsai Ing-wen, who considers Taiwan as a sovereign nation, took office in 2016.
However, the National Immigration Agency said on Thursday that 21 Chinese nationals who entered Taiwan unlawfully were on the deportation list. It refuses to share more information in order to "ensure smooth and safe operations."
The citizens of China were scheduled to fly out in groups beginning Wednesday, according to local news site United Daily News.
The recent deportations, according to Taiwan's authorities, were the first since November 2020, when travel was restricted by the pandemic.
Taiwan's highest China-related council, the Mainland Affairs Council, said the process "has positive meanings for normal and orderly exchanges between the two sides."
Last month, China repatriated a Taiwanese murder suspect under the aforementioned 2009 deal.
US at risk of paying 'unbearable price' over Taiwan
In an interview for state broadcaster CCTV and official news agency Xinhua broadcast Thursday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that Washington's interference could lead to a dangerous situation.
"The US violated the promises made when China and the US established diplomatic relations, condoned and encouraged 'Taiwan independence' forces, and tried to distort and hollow out the one-China principle," Wang Yi said.
By encouraging 'Taiwan independence forces', the United States not only puts "Taiwan into an extremely dangerous situation but also exposes the United States to an unbearable price", Wang said.
The PRC tried to reclaim the island of Taiwan multiple times. Just southwest of Taiwan, another island that almost matches its size extends along the Chinese mainland, Hainan island, which the PRC retook following a military landing operation in 1950.
