The alleged Taiwan spies Song Xiaolian and Wang Changyong were allowed to see their families on Tuesday.

Song saw his wife and son where he is detained in Hainan Province and Wang saw his mother, wife and sister in Fujian Province.

Song's wife Zeng Jingyuan and his 11-year-old son arrived in the capital Haikou at 6:50 p.m. Monday. The family reunited at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The visit was arranged by a Taiwan civil organization and relevant departments from the mainland. The Taiwan authorities did not help them on this visit, said Zeng on the way to see her husband.

Song apologized to his wife, saying he had been used and had made a mistake. He felt regret that he could not look after his family.

He also said he had been well treated during his detention.

Zeng was happy and excited to see her husband, saying he must be cooperative.

The family then had lunch together.

Wang's family arrived at Fuzhou airport at 2 p.m. via Hong Kong. His mother said in strong Fujian accent that she hoped her son to return home early. His sister brought him nutritious drinks. The family had dinner together.

The Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council announced on Jan. 14 that seven Taiwanese residents detained by China's state security department were spies sent by the military intelligence authorities of Taiwan.

The alleged spies, Fu Hongzhang, Lin Jieshan, Song Xiaolian, Wang Changyong, Zhang Genghuan, Zhang Yuren and Tong Taiping, separately met reporters from the mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan in the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan and Anhui. A total of 19 mainland citizens were also arrested in December for alleged spying activities.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2004)