The foreign ministry has lodged a strong protest with Kenyan authorities after Kenya forcibly sent five Taiwanese nationals to China.
The five had been held on charges of telecom fraud, but a Kenyan court later found all five not guilty. However, Kenyan police ignored the court ruling, and the five were forcibly put on a China-bound plane early Monday morning.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Eleanor Wang accused Kenyan police of acting in defiance of the court ruling.
“Our representative to South Africa, John Chen, and his colleague strongly demanded that Kenyan police abide by the court ruling. At the same time they sought assistance from the international media and human rights groups. After three days and nights of tireless efforts, however, Kenyan authorities still bowed to pressure from China and forcibly sent the five Taiwanese suspects to China. The foreign ministry finds the move regrettable and we wish to lodge a strong protest.”
The foreign ministry says it will continue to protect the rights of the five Taiwanese nationals through cross-strait channels of communication.
Meanwhile, Mainland Affairs (MAC) Council Spokesman Chiu Chui-cheng also condemned the move.
“China has disregarded the long-term cooperation and understanding between officials on both sides. China’s disregard for Taiwan’s repeated calls not to send Taiwanese to the Mainland has seriously hurt the feelings of the Taiwanese people.”
Chiu called on China to communicate with Taiwan as it has in similar circumstances in the past.