Two Chinese fishermen have tragically drowned while being pursued by Taiwan's Coast Guard off the coast of Taiwan's Kinmen archipelago, according to a statement released by the coast guard on Wednesday. The incident has sparked a diplomatic row between China and Taiwan, with China condemning the deaths and calling for an investigation.
The deaths, occurring amidst the backdrop of heightened Chinese activity in the waters near Kinmen, have raised concerns. Kinmen, a group of islands closer to China than to Taiwan's main island, is claimed by China as part of its territory. The Chinese vessel in question had been sailing approximately one nautical mile off the coast of one of the islets of Kinmen when it was intercepted by the Taiwanese Coast Guard.
