TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Wednesday (July 3) called on China to promptly explain the seizure of the Penghu-registered fishing vessel Da Jin Man No. 88 (大進滿 88).
The Cabinet-level administrative agency urged Chinese authorities to release the five crew members and the ship according to regulations and procedures once the reasons for the detention are clarified. Two members are Taiwanese, and three are from Indonesia.
In a press conference earlier that day, Coast Guard Administration Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) said, "China should not use political factors to deal with this incident and should expeditiously explain the reasons and release the ship and the people per the procedures."
According to reports, the Da Jin Man No. 88 entered Chinese territorial waters approximately 11.2 nautical miles on the evening of July 2, leading to its seizure by the China Coast Guard.
After receiving a call from the crew, Taiwan's Coast Guard intervened, even entering Chinese internal waters. Taiwan's Coast Guard reportedly encountered at least eight China Coast Guard ships. The China Coast Guard broadcast warnings not to interfere with law enforcement. To avoid escalating the situation, the Taiwanese coast guard retreated.
This incident raises concerns about the potential for increased tensions between Taiwan and China. Authorities continue to seek a resolution, with calls for transparency and adherence to established maritime procedures.