Staff Reports
In a dramatic escalation, the Chinese Coast Guard reinforced its presence around the Kinmen Islands near Fujian province on Monday. This move comes after a shocking incident on February 14, where the Taiwanese government reportedly chased away a Chinese “fishing” vessel, leading to its capsizing and the tragic loss of half the crew’s lives.
China Floods Disputed Waters with Patrol Boats After Taiwan Chases Away ‘Fishing‘ Ship, Killing Two https://t.co/OXNR5EMs7D via @BreitbartNews
— Rob Woods (@RobWoods7645) February 19, 2024
The Kinmen Islands, a mere 4 miles from Fujian, are hotly contested by Taiwan, which claims them as part of its territory. Taiwan has established “prohibited” and “restricted” waters, where it bans Chinese vessels or reserves the right to expel them. The Mainland Affairs Office of Taiwan asserts that this action was necessary due to China’s increased presence of purported “fishing” ships and other vessels in waters claimed by Taiwan. These Chinese ships often lack proper registration, posing a security threat that Taiwanese authorities cannot ignore.
Reports from Singapore-based Channel News Asia (CNA) revealed that at least four Chinese Coast Guard ships were spotted operating around the Kinmen Islands. The Coast Guard had announced it would increase patrols in response to what it alleges is Taiwanese aggression.
Unsurprisingly, the Chinese “Taiwan Affairs Office” condemned Taiwan for its “terrible attitude” and accused it of showing “indifference to the lives of people on the mainland [China].” China’s state-run Global Times harshly criticized Taiwan for its handling of the suspicious vessel incident, accusing Taiwan of favoring Japanese fishing vessels over Chinese ones. The Global Times demanded that the “recklessness of the DPP” (Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party) be corrected and that justice and fairness be maintained in the Taiwan Straits.
The Taiwanese Coast Guard had encountered the suspicious vessel on Wednesday and initiated a pursuit when the ship attempted to evade inspection. The chase resulted in the ship capsizing, leading to the loss of two lives and the detention of the remaining crew members. The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan expressed regret over the incident but emphasized its commitment to enforcing maritime laws and ensuring the well-being of the crew members’ families.
In response to the tragic event, Taiwan has agreed to allow representatives of the crew members’ families and the Red Cross to extract the remaining crew members from the Kinmen Islands. However, no specific timeline for this operation has been provided by Chinese authorities.
Evidently, China’s aggressive maritime actions extend beyond its disputes with Taiwan. The Chinese government’s territorial claims have also sparked tensions with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague has already invalidated China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claims, which encompass vast maritime territories.
Furthermore, China’s militarization of the South China Sea, including the construction of military facilities on artificial islands, has raised alarms regionally and globally. The U.S. Indo-Pacific commander has reported China’s offensive capabilities in the region, which include missile arsenals, aircraft hangars, and radar systems.
In the midst of these territorial disputes, Vietnam and the Philippines have accused China of aggressive actions, including ramming and sinking fishing boats in their respective waters. These incidents have underscored China’s assertive and often confrontational approach to asserting its maritime claims, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
Overall, these developments paint a troubling picture of China’s aggressive expansionist agenda, creating significant challenges for its neighbors and escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
