Taiwan return of China dissident seen as bid for better ties

FILE - In this Monday, April 17, 2017, file photo, Chinese dissident Zhang Xiangzhong is seen on a computer screen during an interview via videoconference in Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan's return Zhang this week is seen by analysts as a possible bid by President Tsai Ing-wen to stabilize relations with Beijing. Officials in Taipei say Chinese national Zhang Xiangzhong lacked legal grounds to stay in Taiwan after breaking away from his tour group on April 13. Analysts say Tsai's administration may be hoping China responds in kind. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai, File) (The Associated Press)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Analysts say Taiwan's return of a Chinese asylum seeker earlier this week is a likely bid by President Tsai Ing-wen to stabilize relations with Beijing that have been in sharp decline since her election last year.

Officials in Taipei say Chinese national Zhang Xiangzhong lacked legal grounds to stay in Taiwan after breaking away from his tour group on April 13. The 48-year-old civil rights activist had sought political refugee status in Taiwan, but flew back to China after agreeing that would be the best solution.

With dialogue between the two governments suspended by Beijing, analysts say Tsai's administration may hope China sees Zhang's return as a goodwill gesture and responds in kind.