Two hundred illegal immigrants were returned to China yesterday, bringing the total number of repatriated Chinese to more than 4,000 in almost two years.
From the end of August 2004 until yesterday, 4,140 illegal immigrants have been sent back to China in 26 trips, according to statistics from the National Police Agency's Immigration Office.
Last year, the number of people deported increased 63.33 percent year-on-year, with a total of 2,352 illegal immigrants returned. In 2004 only 1,440 people were sent back.
PHOTO: CNA
Yesterday, a vessel built by China to repatriate illegal immigrants from Taiwan's outlying island of Matsu made its maiden voyage carrying the immigrants.
The new vessel, called the New Strait, can carry up to 200 passengers per trip, according to the Immigration Office.
The ship yesterday picked up a total of 170 men and 30 women.
Officials said that the new vessel was safer than the old one used to send back illegal immigrants and was more likely to withstand strong wind and waves.
Before, the return of these illegal immigrants was often delayed and caused a pileup at illegal immigrant management centers, but the office has increased the frequency of services.
Illegal immigrants with severe illnesses have also been sent back more promptly than before to decrease the government's financial and personnel burden, officials said.
Office commissioner Wu Chen-chi (
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