Mainland confirms return of citizen who deserted Taiwan tour group

BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that a mainland citizen, who deserted his group when traveling in Taiwan earlier this month, has returned to the coastal city of Xiamen.

"The mainland-based Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Strait required Taiwan's related authority to send him back in accordance with the cross-Strait tourism agreement," said Ma Xiaoguang, a mainland spokesperson with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. "The related mainland tourism authority and travel agency have conducted inquiries and investigations on the tourist and tour group leader."

Ma said that authorities would deal with the incident in accordance with regulations.

Meanwhile, Ma urged mainland tourists to strictly observe a revised regulation on travel in Taiwan, which was made public on April 13.