Mainland releases two Taiwanese spies

BEIJING - The Chinese mainland has released two jailed intelligence agents from Taiwan, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs office of the State Council confirmed on Monday.

An Fengshan said the two spies, identified as Zhu Gongxun and Xu Changguo, have been released on probation in accordance with the Criminal Law after having been "punished heavily."

Taiwanese media reported on Monday that Zhu and Xu had returned to the island. They were captured in the mainland in 2006 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

When asked to confirm whether Li Zhihao, a mainland spy suspect reportedly released by Taiwan in exchange for Zhu and Xu, had been released, An declined to comment, referring journalists to Taiwanese authorities.

Li, dubbed "the longest hidden spy in Taiwan" by local media, was captured in 1999.