Chinese fishermen returned to China Friday after being detained in the Philippines for more than three years on charges including alleged illegal entry.

Wang Yaliu, Yang Xi and Xie Guiyu, all natives of Taishan City, Guangdong Province, left Manila, capital of the Philippines, at 2:50 pm Friday on a flight and arrived at Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, at 5:30 pm, said Luo Jun, an officer with the foreign affairs office of the provincial government.

The three were detained by the Philippines in December 2006 along with 27 others aboard a Chinese fishing boat.

The Philippine side prosecuted the 30 Chinese on charges including alleged illegal entry.

Before Friday's release of the three fishermen, 27 others had already been set free, thanks to negotiation by Chinese authorities at different levels.

"I'm so happy! Finally I have come home!" Wang, captain of the fishing vessel, Haiyun, said upon his arrival in Guangzhou Friday, two days before the Lunar Chinese New Year, China's most important festival.

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