A Taiwanese fishing boat operating close to a Taiwan-controlled island was boarded and then taken to a Chinese port, the Taiwan coast guard reported late on Tuesday ( Jul 2 ), in a further escalation of tensions.
Since President Lai Ching-te took office in May, Beijing accuses him of being a” separatist,” and China has increased its pressure on Taiwan.
The fishing vessel was operating close to the Taiwan-run Kinmen islands on Tuesday night when it was boarded and taken over by two Chinese sea management boats, according to Taiwan’s beach watch.
Taiwan sent its own beach guard ships to help and issue warnings to China to release the fish ship, but China’s ships responded by saying no to interfere, according to Taiwan’s coast guard in a statement.
The Japanese fishing vessel was finally taken to a Chinese interface, it added, and Taiwan’s boats then backed away to prevent a fight.