Taiwan has accused China’s coast guard of causing panic and distress on a tourist boat after six Chinese officials boarded the vessel. The incident occurred just days after a Chinese fishing boat was pursued by Taiwan’s coast guard in the same area, resulting in the death of two fishermen. These events have further escalated tensions between China and Taiwan, with Kinmen, an archipelago located just 3km away from China’s southeastern coast, becoming a focal point of the dispute.
China considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province that will eventually be reunited with the mainland, even if it means using force. However, Taiwan sees itself as an independent entity separate from China. The recent actions by China’s coast guard have only served to exacerbate these differences and create anxiety among Taiwanese citizens.
The Taiwanese tourist boat incident occurred late afternoon on Monday when Chinese officials boarded the vessel and inspected its route plan, certificate, and crew licenses. They left after half an hour, but their presence caused panic among the passengers and crew. One female passenger expressed her shock and anxiety in a video posted on China Times, stating that she was worried about not being able to return to Taiwan.
Kuan Bi-ling, head of Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, criticized China’s coast guard for their actions, stating that it had harmed the feelings of the Taiwanese people and triggered panic. She emphasized that such behavior was not in the interest of both sides and called for a peaceful resolution to the matter.
It is not uncommon for Chinese and Taiwanese tourist boats to accidentally enter each other’s waters, according to Kuan. She clarified that these boats are not illegal and urged for a peaceful handling of such incidents. Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, echoed this sentiment, stating that the military would not actively intervene to avoid escalating tensions.
This incident follows the tragic event involving a Chinese fishing boat that capsized after being chased by the Taiwanese coast guard. Two fishermen lost their lives, and four others were rescued. The families of the survivors arrived on Kinmen to bring them back home, as reported by Chinese state media. Beijing strongly condemned the incident, claiming that it had hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, particularly in the waters surrounding Kinmen, highlight the complex relationship between the two entities. As China continues to assert its claims over Taiwan, incidents like these only serve to further strain relations and increase anxiety among the Taiwanese population. It remains to be seen how both sides will navigate these challenges and work towards a peaceful resolution.
