The Chinese mainland is highly concerned about the outcome of Taiwan's trial of four human smugglers charged with drowning six mainland illegal immigrants, said Li Weiyi, spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Li said the mainland side expects the Taiwan authorities to severely punish the "snakeheads" - human traffickers - for their crimes and compensate the bereaved families.

The Taiwan authorities should also repatriate the 20 survivors back to the mainland as soon as possible, said the spokesman.

The spokesman made the remarks after the court debate of the trial in Taiwan had ended.

The four Taiwanese men being tried attempted to smuggle 26 women from the Chinese mainland into Taiwan island on two speedboats on Aug. 26. They threw the women overboard when chased by the Taiwan coast guard, leaving six drowned. The incident has aroused keen concern from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

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