China Insists on Taiwan Coast Guard Personnel Going to Mainland for Questioning Amidst Maritime Incident
Last Updated on March 4, 2024 1:21 pm
Amidst negotiations surrounding the tragic incident involving two Chinese fishermen in Taiwan’s territorial waters, Chinese negotiators are escalating demands, insisting that Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) personnel go to China for questioning. The incident occurred on February 14 when a Chinese speedboat entered the waters around Kinmen, leading to a pursuit by the CGA. The pursuit ended in tragedy as the boat capsized, resulting in the death of two fishermen.
The negotiations between the CGA and Chinese representatives have witnessed at least 11 rounds of intense discussions, with Beijing pressing for a formal apology and compensation for the deceased fishermen. The recent demand for Taiwan Coast Guard personnel to travel to China for questioning has been met with strong opposition from Taiwanese officials.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu condemned the demand as “absolutely absurd and unacceptable” in a tweet on Monday. He raised concerns about the potential impact on Taiwan’s sovereignty, emphasizing that compliance with such demands would compromise the country’s ability to enforce its maritime laws.
Wang highlighted the broader issue of illegal Chinese vessels entering Taiwan’s waters and questioned the future effectiveness of the CGA if such demands were to be accepted. He criticized China for employing gray zone tactics and questioned whether Taiwan could feel secure by succumbing to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) pressure.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) attributed the recent maritime incident to the refusal of the Chinese “three nos” vessel to cooperate with Taiwanese law enforcement. The MAC emphasized that China’s failure to regulate these vessels has resulted in frequent and arbitrary illegal intrusions into Taiwan’s prohibited and restricted waters.
As tensions escalate in the negotiation process, the situation underscores the complex dynamics between China and Taiwan, with maritime incidents becoming a focal point in the broader geopolitical context. The demand for Taiwan Coast Guard personnel to go to China for questioning adds another layer of sensitivity to an already intricate diplomatic situation.