China expels one "US scholar"
( 2001-07-25 14:07 ) (7 )

American citizen Li Shaomin, who is expelled by Chinese government following his conviction for espionage, July 25, is seen in this undated file photo.

China expelled US citizen Li Shaomin on Wednesday following his conviction for espionage, US officials in Beijing said.

"Li Shaomin is en route to San Francisco and a State Department official will be in San Francisco to assist with Li's entry into the US and reunion with his family," a US embassy official in Beijing told reporters.

Li, 45, was arrested on February 25 in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, bordering Hong Kong.

American permanent residents Gao Zhan and Qin Guangguang were convicted on Tuesday of spying for Taiwan and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

They were convicted along with a Chinese national, Qu Wei, for passing intelligence to Taiwan. Qu was sentenced to 13 years.

China's foreign ministry also confirmed that Li has left China, saying Li's deportation procedures took place early Wednesday and that he was returned to the United States the same day.

"Li Shaomin was a member of Taiwan spying organization, who carried out espionage activities many times in the mainland," a ministry spokesman said.

"The Beijing First Intermediate Court on July 14 convicted Li Shaomin of the crime of spying and ordered him deported."

Officials with the US-based United Airlines told reporters that Li had been booked on flight UA 852 from Beijing that departed at 09:25 am local time (01:25 GMT) and would transit Tokyo before heading on to San Francisco.

Gao, who helps Li gather intelligence for Taiwan, was not formally ordered expelled after her conviction on Tuesday because she is a Chinese citizen.

Gao's lawyers have applied for her release on medical grounds for heart problems.