Taiwan stands by coast guard following China’s criticism of deadly incident

Taiwan defended the actions of its coast guard on Thursday following an incident where a Chinese speedboat overturned near a Taiwanese island

Taiwan defended the actions of its coast guard on Thursday following a tragic incident involving a Chinese speedboat near a key Taiwan island. The boat capsized as it attempted to escape a Taiwan coast guard ship that had approached too closely. 

In response, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office criticized Taiwan for its harsh treatment of Chinese fishermen, attributing this as the primary cause of the unfortunate event. 

Taiwan, a territory claimed by China, has voiced concerns about Chinese vessels operating in waters under its control, particularly around the Kinmen and Matsu islands, located near China’s coastline. 

The recent incident involved a Chinese speedboat entering restricted waters near Kinmen’s Beiding islet, resulting in the deaths of two individuals when their boat overturned while evading the Taiwan coast guard. 

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council stated that a preliminary investigation revealed the coast guard acted lawfully and appropriately during the incident. 

The council emphasized that China has failed to address illegal activities by Chinese ships in Taiwan waters, despite repeated complaints, urging Chinese authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

Kinmen, a region with a history of conflict during the Cold War, is now a tourist destination. However, many of its fortified islets remain restricted by Taiwan’s military. 

Taiwan, rejecting Beijing’s claims, accuses China of engaging in gray-zone warfare tactics, such as sending civilian ships near Taiwan waters to create tension without direct military confrontation. 

Source: Newsroom