BEIJING - China on Wednesday hailed the repatriation from Kenya of 40 people suspected of having committed telecom fraud.

"[This] showcases the resolution of China and Kenya to jointly combat transnational crimes," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

Hua made the remarks in a press release after the 40 suspects -- 35 from the Chinese mainland and five from Taiwan -- were brought back to China in police custody Monday.

Another 77 suspects from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan were repatriated from Kenya in April.

Hua noted that all the repatriated suspects were involved in one case, all the evidence had been gathered in China, and all the victims lived on the Chinese mainland. The investigation of all the suspects will help the police understand the situation and address the telecom fraud.

She said the investigation will be supported by the people across the Taiwan Strait and by the international community.