Taiwan is demanding that China release a Taiwanese fishing vessel and its six-member crew that were seized by Chinese coastguard officials outside Taiwanese waters near the Kinmen Islands. The incident comes as China has increased patrols around the islands following deadly fishing accidents. The Taiwanese boat was fishing for squid outside Taipei-controlled waters during China’s no-fishing period when it was seized. Taiwan has urged China to release the crew as soon as possible and has dispatched patrol vessels to try to rescue them, but was blocked by Chinese coast guard ships. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration called on China to explain the seizure, pointing out that in previous cases, fishermen were released after paying fines. The Indonesian workers onboard will receive assistance from the Indonesian consulate in Guangzhou. This is not the first time a Taiwanese fishing boat has been seized by Chinese authorities, with both countries detaining each other’s trespassing boats in the past. Taiwan has issued alerts for fishing and transport authorities to be vigilant amid increased Chinese coastguard activities. China views Taiwan as its territory and tensions have escalated since President William Lai Ching-te took office. Taiwan has detained five Chinese boats this year, while Chinese ships have been operating around Kinmen since February after two Chinese fishermen died fleeing Taiwan’s coastguard.
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Taiwan reports that China has confiscated fishing boat near Chinese coast | Military News
