China deports 14 suspects back to Taiwan

TAIPEI—Chinese authorities on Wednesday sent home 14 Taiwanese allegedly involved in a major fraud who triggered diplomatic tensions when the Philippines deported them to China instead of Taiwan.

The Philippines sent the group to China in February after they allegedly swindled $20 million in an international scam targeting mainland Chinese.

A furious Taiwan said they should have gone to the island to face justice and warned Manila that the incident had dealt a serious blow to ties.

Taiwanese television images showed the suspects arriving at the northern Taoyuan airport, having been escorted under tight security. They were immediately questioned by police.

The move came after nearly four months of Taiwanese efforts to secure their return.

Taiwan had reacted by raising the screening period for Filipino workers and threatened to freeze hiring altogether. It did not follow through on the threat and later lifted the sanctions.