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Six Britons 'to be deported' from northern China | Six Britons 'to be deported' from northern China |
(35 minutes later) | |
UK diplomats in Beijing have told the BBC they understand that six British citizens held in northern China "will be deported soon". | |
They are among 11 Britons, including two with dual British-South African nationality, who have been arrested. It is not clear why they are being held. | They are among 11 Britons, including two with dual British-South African nationality, who have been arrested. It is not clear why they are being held. |
The Britons are part of a group of 20 foreigners detained in Inner Mongolia on 10 July. | |
African charity Gift of the Givers claims they are tourists. | African charity Gift of the Givers claims they are tourists. |
Gift of the Givers said on Facebook that the group, comprising South Africans, Britons, and one Indian citizen, were arrested when they landed in Ordos airport. | |
It said: "The Chinese... suggested that some members were linked to a terror group, to a banned organisation, to watching propaganda videos in their hotel room." | |
The charity said the group included some doctors and businessmen, and none had terror links. | |
The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says there has been no official word from the Chinese authorities on why the tourists were arrested. | |
UK officials have said they are "seeking further clarification" on the reason for the arrests, and that consular staff have visited the group to provide assistance. | UK officials have said they are "seeking further clarification" on the reason for the arrests, and that consular staff have visited the group to provide assistance. |
Gift of the Givers said South African and British officials met with Chinese foreign ministry authorities on Tuesday. | |
News of the arrests comes as Beijing hosts South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who met China's Premier Li Keqiang and Vice President Li Yuanchao on Tuesday. | |
Mr Ramaphosa arrived on Sunday for his five-day visit. | Mr Ramaphosa arrived on Sunday for his five-day visit. |