Taiwan's coast guard has conducted over a dozen joint rescue operations with China in the past three years, as revealed by the agency's chief during a parliamentary session. This rare cooperation between the two governments comes amidst escalating tensions in the region.
The latest joint effort involved the rescue of crew members from a Chinese fishing boat that capsized near the Kinmen Islands. Of the six crew members on board, two were found deceased, two were rescued, and the remaining two are still being searched for by both Taiwanese and Chinese vessels.
According to Taiwan's coast guard director-general, there have been a total of 17 joint rescue cases with China in the last three years, resulting in the successful rescue of 119 individuals.
Despite the cooperative rescue efforts, relations between Taiwan and China have been strained, with Beijing asserting its claim over Taiwan and not ruling out the use of force for reunification. Taiwan, on the other hand, has shown resistance to Beijing's influence, as evidenced by the recent re-election of the Democratic Progressive Party.
While China remains a significant trade partner for Taiwan, with substantial Taiwanese investments in the mainland, cross-strait investments have declined due to geopolitical tensions and tech disputes between the US and China.
The revelation of the joint rescue statistics came during a parliamentary hearing discussing China's perceived threats to Taiwan. The incident has sparked mixed reactions on Chinese social media, with some viewing it as a sign of Taiwan's subservience to China, while others expressing discontent over the portrayal of Taiwan as the leading party in the rescue operation.
Earlier this year, tensions flared when a Chinese fishing boat capsized in the Taiwan Strait during a pursuit by Taiwan's coast guard, resulting in casualties and detainment of the survivors. The incident led to conflicting accounts from both sides, with China accusing Taiwan of deliberate actions leading to the boat's capsizing.
