TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Tensions flared Monday (Feb. 19) following an incident in which China's Coast Guard forcibly inspected the "King Xia Cruise" which Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council Minister, Kuan Bi-ling, reveals has caused widespread panic on board.
Kuan explained that the issue has escalated to a political level, adding that the incident is not in the interest of the people on both sides of the Strait.
The "King Xia Cruise," a Kinmen-Xiamen sightseeing vessel, was subject to an unexpected inspection by China's Coast Guard in the waters near the island of Kinmen that day, reportedly causing fear among the 23 passengers and 11 crew members.
Halfway through the trip, two Chinese coast guard boats appeared, with members boarding the ship to inspect for 30 minutes, scaring the passengers on board.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration later determined that the sightseeing vessel had been on a route inclined towards China, and immediately dispatched patrol boats to the scene to assist.
Kuan stressed that Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration had previously been engaged in continuous, effective collaboration with China promoting the well-being of people across the Taiwan Strait. However, this recent incident does not align with such goals, she said.
Cross-strait tensions had been running high since a Chinese speedboat carrying four fishermen capsized after they were caught fishing about one nautical mile away from Kinmen, which Taiwan has claimed as a restricted area.
This culminated in a chase by Taiwan's coast guards which resulted in the unfortunate deaths of two Chinese individuals on the fishing boat.
China has condemned Taiwan's handling of the situation and blamed the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the deaths.
The Deputy Director of the Coast Guard Administration has been on site since the day after the incident, coordinating funeral arrangements for the deceased and enabling the remaining survivors to pay their respects, Kuan revealed.
In light of the surprise inspection on Monday, Kuan said that a former plan to send a boat to transport the relatives of deceased individuals had to be canceled due to fears of misconceptions.