In a recent development, China has announced an increase in patrols in the waters off Taiwan's Kinmen archipelago following a tragic incident involving two Chinese fishermen. The fishermen drowned while being pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard for allegedly trespassing in the area.
The Chinese coast guard's Fujian division will now undertake regular patrols in the waters near the city of Xiamen, located just a few kilometers from Kinmen. This move aims to bolster maritime law enforcement efforts in the region, which has witnessed growing tensions due to the escalating presence of Chinese vessels, including sand dredgers and fishing boats.
Local residents of Kinmen have raised concerns about the noise and environmental pollution caused by the influx of Chinese vessels in the area. Additionally, fishermen in the region have reported losses to their livelihood due to the heightened maritime activities.
The incident involving the two drowned Chinese fishermen is unusual despite the ongoing Chinese presence near Kinmen, which is geographically closer to China than Taiwan's main island. China asserts its claim over Taiwan as part of its territory, a stance that is vehemently rejected by the self-ruled island.
On the day of the tragic event, Taiwan's Coast Guard reported that four Chinese fishermen were involved in a capsizing incident, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The incident occurred in an area claimed by Taiwan as a restricted zone, located about one nautical mile from the Kinmen archipelago. The other two survivors are currently in Taiwanese custody.
The response from China has been one of strong condemnation, with accusations directed at Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party for the fishermen's deaths. China has refuted the existence of any 'restricted' waters in the region, further escalating tensions between the two sides.
Both Taiwan and China have initiated investigations into the incident, with communication channels being activated between the Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan and Chinese authorities. The Taiwan Affairs Office in China has issued statements vowing additional unspecified measures, indicating a potentially heightened state of affairs.
The historical context of Taiwan's separation from China in the aftermath of the 1949 civil war looms large over current developments. Beijing views Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and has not shied away from asserting its claims through military posturing. The recent incident near Kinmen underscores the complex and delicate dynamics at play between China and Taiwan, highlighting the potential for further escalations unless diplomatic resolutions are sought.
