Cambodia has deported 20 Chinese Uighurs who had sought asylum there after fleeing ethnic riots in China's far west region of Xinjiang in July.

The expulsions came ahead of a visit to Cambodia by the Chinese vice-president, Xi Jingping.

Witnesses said the Uighurs left on an unmarked plane from Phnom Penh's military air field.

A government spokesman confirmed the flight was heading to China.

Earlier the authorities said the Uighurs were being deported because they had entered the country illegally.

Supporters of the Uighurs said they were fleeing persecution in China, where some had witnessed brutality by the authorities during ethnic violence in July.

A network of Christian missionaries had helped them to make their way to the Phnong Penn office of the United Nations refugee agency - the UNHRC.

The agency was still assessing the Uighurs' claim for refugee status when armed police took them into custody on Friday.

- BBC