Cambodia ? A group of Muslims who fled China after deadly ethnic rioting and sought asylum in Cambodia will be deported, possibly back home, a government spokesman said today.

The 20 Uighurs were being expelled because it was determined they entered the country illegally, Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said. He said two other Uighurs have gone missing.

The United States and United Nations urged Cambodia to stop the deportation.

Cambodia has been under intense pressure from China, which has called the ethnic Uighurs criminals after they fled the country with the help of a secret network of missionaries. The expulsion comes as Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visits Cambodia on Sunday as part of a four-country tour.