Taiwan says Kenya guards used tear gas to force deportations
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Armed Kenyan guards used tear gas to dislodge a group of Taiwanese citizens from a detention center and force them to board a flight to China, a top Taiwanese diplomat said Tuesday, amid a complicated diplomatic tussle that threatens to cause further rifts between Taipei and Beijing.
The Nairobi incident could be an indication that Beijing is toughening its attitude again ahead of the May 20 inauguration of Taiwanese President-elect Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to agree to China's demand that she recognize Taiwan and mainland China as parts of a single Chinese nation.
Taiwan's Central News Agency cited unidentified Chinese officials saying the eight were being investigated for possible crimes committed in China before they departed for Kenya.