Mr Yang Hui-ju says Beijing immigration officials searched her bag and confiscated her valid visa.

Returning to Taipei on Saturday night, she was greeted by associates wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan, 'Taiwan, My Country'.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. China claims the island a part of its own territory.

Taiwan competes at the Olympics under the name of 'Chinese Taipei'. -- AP