Credits: Inquirer.net
Taiwan has accused China of harassing one of its fishing boats near the Penghu islands, following the seizure of another Taiwanese vessel by Chinese authorities over alleged illegal fishing.
The Taiwanese coast guard responded by dispatching three patrol ships late Wednesday after receiving a distress call from a fishing boat reporting interference and approach by Chinese coast guard vessels. The incident occurred 60 nautical miles (111 kilometers) northwest of Penghu in the Taiwan Strait, outside Taiwan’s restricted waters, according to the coast guard.
The fishing boat reported it had managed to leave the area without further pursuit by the Chinese coast guard. In response, the Taiwanese coast guard announced it had increased patrols in the area to ensure the safety of its vessels.
This incident comes on the heels of Taipei’s demand for the immediate release of a fishing boat carrying two Taiwanese and three Indonesians, which was seized by the Chinese coast guard near Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen islands. The Chinese coast guard detained the boat on Tuesday, suspecting it of illegal fishing off the coast of Quanzhou in China’s Fujian province.
Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency defended the seized vessel, asserting that the area is a “traditional fishing ground” shared by both sides.
China, which considers self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. In recent years, China has increased pressure on Taiwan, including conducting military drills around the island following the May 20 inauguration of new Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting 30 Chinese warplanes and eight naval vessels around the island within a 24-hour period ending at 6:00 am (2200 GMT Wednesday). This surge in military activity is part of the broader pattern of escalations between the two sides.
Relations between Taiwan and China were further strained in February when a Chinese fishing boat capsized while being pursued by Taiwan’s coast guard, with a survivor alleging that the boat had been “rammed.”
As tensions continue to rise, the latest incidents underscore the ongoing volatility in the Taiwan Strait and the complex maritime disputes that exacerbate the strained relations between Taiwan and China.