Tensions escalated further between Taiwan and China as Chinese officials boarded and seized a Taiwanese fishing boat operating near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands, close to China’s coast, late on Tuesday, according to Taiwan’s coast guard.
The incident occurred in waters China claims as its own, near the cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou, when two Chinese maritime administration boats intercepted the Taiwanese squid fishing vessel during China’s designated no-fishing period. Taiwan’s coast guard confirmed that the boat was taken to a Chinese port following its seizure.
Taiwan’s coast guard promptly dispatched its own vessels to assist and issued warnings urging China to release the fishing boat. However, Chinese authorities responded by instructing Taiwan’s ships not to interfere, prompting Taiwan’s coast guard to withdraw to avoid escalation. Three of the five fishermen aboard the seized vessel were identified as Indonesian migrant workers.
Hsieh Ching-chin, Deputy Director-General of Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration, called on China to clarify the reasons for seizing the boat, noting previous cases where fishermen were released after paying fines for operating during China’s no-fishing season. He emphasised the need for heightened vigilance among Taiwanese fishing fleets and announced plans to bolster patrols.
“The coast guard also calls on the mainland side not to use political factors to handle this situation,” Hsieh stated during a press briefing in Taipei.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for cross-strait relations, announced it would seek explanations from Chinese authorities to address the incident and prevent unnecessary speculation. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s consulate general in Guangzhou assured assistance to the detained Indonesian crew members.
The seizure marks a recurring issue between Taiwan and China, with both sides occasionally detaining each other’s fishing boats for trespassing in disputed waters. Taiwan has detained five Chinese fishing boats this year alone, according to Taiwan coast guard data.
Chinese maritime enforcement and coast guard activities have intensified near the Kinmen islands since February, following a fatal incident involving Chinese fishermen evading Taiwanese authorities, highlighting the heightened maritime tensions in the region.
