TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Minister of Ocean Affairs Council, Kuan Bi-ling, stated on Tuesday (Feb. 20) that Taiwanese vessels could respond to future mainland Chinese coast guard inspections by choosing not to stop or by steering clear, as per standard operating procedures (SOP).
This comes after a Kinmen tourist boat was forcibly inspected by the Chinese coast guard, prompting Taiwanese maritime patrol personnel to respond.
The boarding and inspection by Chinese personnel for over half an hour caused panic among passengers, prompting the Ocean Affairs Council to argue that such interactions with China's maritime authorities should be avoided as much as possible.
The Maritime Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), argued that the actions from authorities across the Strait do not conform with international customs and that ships should refuse to allow boarding if the same situation occurs again.
The Chinese coast guard announced on Feb. 18 that it would enforce the law routinely in the Kinmen-Xiamen waters, and carried out the inspection on the Kinmen tourist boat the following day.
However, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) chose not to intervene in the situation.
Minister of Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, stated that they wanted to avoid conflict, and so have adopted a policy of non-intervention.
Premier Chen Chien-jen urged China to take measures towards ensuring the safety of fishermen in the "restricted or prohibited maritime areas," hoping for rational cooperation between the two sides to maintain security in the waters.