Scholar Deported From Taiwan For Visa Violation

Chinese scholar Li Yi has been deported from Taiwan, after authorities said he had made plans that violated the terms of his entry permit which may have caused social unrest.

Li landed in Hong Kong on Friday morning.

Taiwanese media reports said Li had been invited by the Chinese Unity Promotion Party to speak at a forum on cross-strait unification and development on Saturday in Taichung. Li is an advocate of using force to unify Taiwan with mainland China.

The forum was to be followed by a demonstration.

But Li said he was only visiting Taiwan to do some sightseeing, and denied he was planning to attend a forum or join a protest. He said it was a pity that he could not continue his trip.

In a statement, Taiwan's National Immigration Agency said people from the mainland who are visiting for tourism are not allowed to participate in political activities, or accept invitations to make speeches.

Immigration officers deported Li on Friday morning, after the scholar did not leave on his own as requested.