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.
A spokesperson from China's Taiwan Affairs Office expressed strong condemnation over the deaths, stating that such a 'malicious event during the Spring Festival seriously hurts the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.' The office also accused Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party of using various reasons to forcefully inspect Chinese fishing vessels and employing violent and dangerous methods towards Chinese fishermen.
According to the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration, the Chinese vessel attempted to flee from the coast guard but ended up capsizing. Four fishermen fell into the water, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. The other two fishermen were successfully rescued and are reported to be in good condition. However, all resuscitation efforts to save the two individuals who drowned were unsuccessful.
The Coast Guard has reported the incident to the Kinmen prosecutor's office, and efforts are underway to contact the families of the deceased fishermen through official channels. This tragic incident has raised concerns over the safety and security of fishermen operating in the waters near Kinmen.
In recent years, there have been reports from residents of Kinmen witnessing an increase in the presence of Chinese sand dredger vessels and fishing ships near their coasts. These vessels, often visible from certain parts of the archipelago, have caused unease among the local population. Sand dredging involves extracting sand from the ocean floor, and the large number of Chinese ships engaged in this activity has raised environmental concerns.
As China and Taiwan celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday, this unfortunate incident has dampened the festive spirit and highlighted the tensions between the two territories. The call for an investigation by China reflects the seriousness with which they are treating the matter. The diplomatic fallout from this event may have wider implications for relations between China and Taiwan, as well as for the safety of fishermen operating in the area.
