Li Yuchun, one of the Super Girls,-- the music sensations that rocked the country last year-- has been banned from speaking in public in Taiwan by the Taiwan authorities. 

Li arrived in Taipei last Thursday evening ahead of a live performance on Sunday but was ordered not to speak to fans or take part in any interviews.

She was greeted by screaming fans holding aloft huge posters of the singer but Li could only smile back.

"The 'Super Girl' turns to 'Dumb Girl'," Taiwan's local media said.

Sources with Li's broker's company refused to comment on Taiwan authorities' ruling, only saying, "Li is happy to participate in public welfare activities."

"Why did she go there?" said avid Chinese mainland fan Wang Wenhua, aged 57 and mother of two. "I urge her to come back to the mainland immediately."

The concert is being jointly staged by arts unions and TV stations from both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Besides Li, other popular singers are also set to perform, including Jay-Chou and S.H.E from Taiwan, and Li Quan and Sun Nan from the Chinese mainland.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2006)