Mainland Chinese man who 'jumped' flight in Taipei seeking temporary stay in Taiwan is denied

(Taipei Composite News) A mainland Chinese man, Cheng Wanjun, attempted to "jump" his flight at a Taiwan airport and requested temporary stay.

Taiwan authorities said that because they could not verify Cheng Wanjun's claim of persecution, they have repatriated him to his previous point of departure, Bangkok, Thailand.

According to reports by the United Daily News, Liberty Times and other media, Cheng Wanjun on Monday (Nov 2) took an EVA Air flight from Bangkok to Beijing via a transit stop in Taipei.

After the flight arrived at Taoyuan Airport, during transit he went to the immigration counter, stated that he had suffered political persecution, filmed a video inside the airport restricted area publicly appealing for help, and requested that Taiwan provide short-term humanitarian assistance.

According to reports, Cheng Wanjun was formerly the executive editor-in-chief of the official website of Law and Life magazine and also served as a presenter on CCTV's Legal Lecture Room program.

Taiwan's National Immigration Agency said in a notice on Wednesday (Nov 4) that, regarding the case, the agency consulted with the Mainland Affairs Council and other authorities for careful handling under existing mechanisms.

Because the individual did not provide specific evidence for his claims, he did not meet the conditions and qualifications for assistance, and he did not hold a valid entry permit, so he was sent back to his previous point of departure, Bangkok, Thailand, in accordance with regulations.

The notice also disclosed that Cheng Wanjun refused to cooperate, strongly resisted during boarding, and engaged in self-harm.

The National Immigration Agency took necessary measures to maintain aviation safety.

The Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement the same day that, regarding Cheng Wanjun's claim of persecution by mainland China and his request for a temporary stay in Taiwan pending travel to Europe or the United States, because several similar cases occur every year, the government must have a screening mechanism as part of its duties and cannot handle every case by granting temporary stay.

The Mainland Affairs Council pointed out that the key issue in this case is that Cheng Wanjun's claim of persecution could not be verified.

So far, apart from the individual's own statement, the government has found no third-party evidence to corroborate it.

The statement also said that Cheng Wanjun can freely enter and exit mainland China and has not been restricted in his personal freedom. "The government has a certain basis for deliberation in handling similar cases, and at present can only send Mr.

Cheng Wanjun back to Thailand in accordance with existing mechanisms." In an interview with Taiwan's Central Broadcasting System on Wednesday, Cheng Wanjun said that he had been repatriated to Bangkok on the evening of Tuesday (Nov 3).

Because his visa is about to expire, he will continue to actively seek safe asylum in a third country through other channels.