Two men from Taiwan, one murder suspect and one convicted rapist, were sent back to the island from the southern province of Guangdong on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Public Security yesterday.

Guo Boyi, 36, was detained by Guangdong police on February 4 for stealing motorcycles. He had absconded to the mainland after being wanted for murder in Taiwan.

Qiu Yuanzhang, 61, was arrested in Guangdong on July 21 for illegally entering the mainland. Convicted of raping a minor in Taiwan, he had fled to escape punishment.

"The mainland has seen an increasing number of Taiwan visitors in recent years, with some criminal offenders hidden among them trying to escape punishment," said public security ministry sources.

The ministry said it is taking measures to crack down on activities such as murder, kidnapping, drug smuggling, money laundering and illegal immigration across the Straits.

The ministry also called for further cooperation between the two sides to safeguard people's interests and social stability.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2005)