In a tragic incident off Taiwan’s Kinmen archipelago, two Chinese fishermen lost their lives while being pursued by the Taiwanese coastguard. This incident has further strained the already tense relationship between China and Taiwan. The fishing boat, which had trespassed into Taiwanese waters, capsized during the chase after the fishermen resisted inspection by the authorities. The Chinese government has strongly condemned the incident, expressing their deep concern for the welfare and emotions of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Kinmen, located just 3km away from China’s southeastern coast, has often been the hotbed of tensions between China and Taiwan. China considers Taiwan as a renegade province and has not ruled out using force to bring it back under its control. As a result, Kinmen has witnessed an increased presence of Chinese dredging vessels in recent years, causing concerns among the local residents. It is important to note that Kinmen has a population of about 180,000 and is situated 187km away from Taiwan’s main island.
The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two of the four fishermen on board, despite efforts made by the coastguard to resuscitate them. The remaining two fishermen are currently in stable condition and are being investigated by the prosecutors in Kinmen. The rising tensions between China and Taiwan have exacerbated the situation, particularly after Taiwan elected a new president whom Beijing perceives as a separatist.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has called upon Taiwanese authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and extend their support to the families of the victims. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the office accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party of forcefully seizing Chinese fishing vessels and using violent methods against Chinese fishermen. Beijing believes that the communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of one family and claims to have taken various measures to support normal operations for fishermen.
Taiwan, on the other hand, defended the actions of the coastguard, emphasizing that many Chinese fishing boats continue to enter their restricted or prohibited waters. They expressed regret that the Chinese crew refused to cooperate with their law enforcement efforts, leading to this unfortunate incident. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has urged Beijing to prevent similar incidents in their waters and maintain restraint.
The incident highlights the complex and delicate relationship between China and Taiwan. The tensions between the two sides have been escalating in recent years, and this tragic event is only expected to further strain their already fragile ties. It is crucial for both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue, peaceful negotiations, and respect each other’s territorial integrity to prevent such incidents in the future. The international community should also play a role in encouraging diplomatic solutions and easing the tensions between China and Taiwan.
