TAIPEI (TVBS News) — On Thursday (Feb. 15) morning, Minister Chiu Tai-san of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) reported that the Coast Guard Administration's Ocean Affairs Council had informed prosecutors in the investigation of a recent fishing boat incident, assuring that prompt communication of investigation results with Chinese authorities has been pledged, ensuring solid cross-strait ties.
One day earlier, a Chinese fishing boat had illegally crossed boundaries, leading to its capsizing due to the Taiwanese coast guard's expulsion efforts. The event ended in the tragic drowning of two individuals.
China has accused Taiwan of precipitating these events, blaming its aggressive boat seizures on maritime boundaries and assertive treatment of mainland fishermen.
The Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) has expressed strong condemnation of the incident and has laid blame on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.
Former Global Times Editor-in-Chief, Hu Xijin, has also criticized the incident, considering Taiwan's overtly severe law enforcement as potentially constituting involuntary manslaughter.
In 2023, there were 1,191 registered cases of Chinese fishing boats crossing the maritime boundary. The number has consistently surpassed a thousand annually.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration retains the right, per the "Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area," to expel, detain, hold in custody, fine, confiscate fishing equipment, and seize hauls and boats.