Beijing has warned Taiwan that there are no restricted fishing areas around Taiwanese islands and reserves the right to take further measures after two Chinese nationals died near the islands. Taiwan defends coast guard actions.
Taiwan Defends Actions After 2 Chinese Die Near Islands
China has condemned Taiwan after two Chinese nationals died near a group of Taiwanese islands. The incident occurred when a Chinese speedboat got too close to a Taiwanese island and attempted to flee a coast guard ship, resulting in the boat overturning. The self-governing island of Taiwan has complained about Chinese vessels operating in Taiwan-controlled waters, especially around the Kinmen and Matsu islands near the Chinese coast.
The Chinese government has expressed “strong indignation” over the deaths and warned that it reserves the right to take further measures. The government of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated that it has goodwill toward Taiwan’s people but will not tolerate Taiwan’s disregard for the safety of Chinese fishermen. The Taiwan Strait was the site of much fighting during the Cold War but is now a popular tourist destination, though many of the islets are heavily fortified and off-limits to civilians.
Despite the tension, a group of low-level Chinese officials from Shanghai arrived in Taipei to attend a traditional festival, but they were not met by the mayor after his decision not to meet the group to avoid public protest. Last year, a similar visit from a deputy chief of the Taiwan Affairs Office’s Shanghai branch was met with noisy protests at the airport.
Source : In Wake of Deaths, China Says Fishing Around Taiwanese Islands Cannot Be Restricted
