TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) spokesperson Zhu Fenglian (朱鳳蓮) said on Wednesday (July 24) that they are currently communicating with relevant authorities to resolve issues regarding the February Chinese speedboat incident after a meeting was postponed due to the arrival of Typhoon Gaemi.
Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that both parties will agree on a new date for the postponed negotiations.
On February 14, a Chinese speedboat carrying four people capsized in Kinmen waters, resulting in two deaths. Despite 15 rounds of negotiations in Kinmen, the bodies of the two deceased Chinese crew members remain in Kinmen. Both sides were set to sign a consensus on Thursday but moved the meeting to Wednesday morning at the Golden Lake Hotel.
MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) and Coast Guard Administration Director-General Chang Chung-lung (張忠龍) traveled to Kinmen to prepare for discussions. However, Typhoon Gaemi caused the suspension of the "mini-three-links," preventing Chinese family members and representatives from reaching Kinmen.
Kuomintang legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍) expressed confidence that both sides will meet in Kinmen soon after the typhoon passes, resolving the February 14 incident.
Zhu also mentioned that authorities are handling the seizure of the Penghu fishing boat, Dajinman No. 88, and the detention of a Kinmen fisherman in China according to laws and regulations.