Taiwan strongly supported its coast guard's actions in response to a deadly incident with a Chinese speedboat near a key Taiwanese island.
Two people on the Chinese vessel died when their boat overturned while trying to escape a Taiwanese coast guard ship, as per Big News Network.
China Deploys Coast Guard Amid Tensions
In response to heightened tensions in the waters near Kinmen, China has taken decisive action by deploying additional coast guard vessels off the southern coast of Xiamen. The move, strategically announced by Gan Yu, spokesperson for the Chinese Coast Guard's Fujian division, is positioned as a step to fortify maritime law enforcement in the region.
The residents of Kinmen have expressed growing apprehension about the environmental and economic ramifications stemming from the increased maritime activities. Concerns over the impact on local fishing livelihoods have become prominent as the waters witness a surge in Chinese vessels, including sand dredgers and fishing boats.
Last Wednesday, a tragic incident occurred resulting in the deaths of two fishermen as the Taiwanese Coast Guard confronted a Chinese fishing boat for entering a restricted area claimed by Taiwan. After the search, the boat overturned, drowning two of the fishermen and capturing two more, according to Taiwanese officials.
In the aftermath, China swiftly condemned the incident, directing blame at Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and vehemently contesting the existence of any designated "restricted" waters in the area. In response, Taiwan initiated a thorough investigation into the incident and established communication channels with Chinese authorities through its Mainland Affairs Council, according to Express.
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China Issues Warning to Taiwan
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, issued a stern warning on Sunday, hinting at further unspecified measures. "The Mainland reserves the right to take further action, and all the consequences will be borne by Taiwan," cautioned Zhu Fenglian, intensifying concerns about a potential escalation in the conflict.
The historical and political rift between China and Taiwan, dating back to the 1949 civil war, forms the backdrop of the longstanding tensions. While Taiwan asserts its status as a separate entity, China adamantly considers the island an integral part of its territory, leaving the region in a delicate geopolitical balance.
The increasing frequency of Chinese vessels in the waters near Kinmen has led to rising discontent among the island's residents. Complaints range from the disruptive noise and sound pollution generated by the vessels to economic losses suffered by the local fishing community.
Wednesday's unfortunate incident, resulting in the death of Chinese fishermen, is exceptional despite the heightened Chinese activity in the waters around Kinmen. Located closer to China than Taiwan's main island, Kinmen has become a focal point, with China asserting claims over the entirety of self-ruled Taiwan.
As the international community closely monitors the evolving situation, concerns persist about the potential for military force being employed by Beijing to achieve its reunification goals, thereby heightening regional instability, Voice of America reported.
