China ramps up patrols in contested waters near Kinmen

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The China Coast Guard announced Sunday (Feb. 18) that the Fujian Coast Guard will increase routine patrols in the waters between Xiamen and Kinmen, aiming to maintain order and protect the lives and property of fishermen.

This move comes as a response to an incident on Feb. 14, where a speedboat from China ventured into the restricted waters off Kinmen, as designated by Taiwan. The vessel capsized during a pursuit by Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration, resulting in the death of two Chinese fishermen.

Denying Taiwan's claims of restricted waters, China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) emphasized that fishermen from both sides have traditionally operated in these customary fishing grounds between Xiamen and Kinmen.

The heightened enforcement by the China Coast Guard suggests a potential challenge to the restricted water boundaries established by Taiwan. The Presidential Office has not commented on the matter, while the Executive Yuan said that statements from the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) are the primary source of reference.

The MAC criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for its tolerance of unlicensed vessels, and illegal fishing, and assured that it would continue to enforce the law steadily. The MAC deeply regrets TAO's baseless claims, dismissing efforts to thoroughly investigate the incident and post-disaster handling.

Taiwan law stipulates that without permission, Chinese vessels cannot enter Taiwan’s restricted or prohibited waters. This legislation aims to protect the rights of Taiwanese fishermen.

The Kinmen County Government expressed hope for cross-strait cooperation, built on the preservation of fishermen's livelihoods, to forge a more favorable developmental environment.

Following this, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling pointed out that the existence of restricted waters is a fact, given the 24 reported violations by Chinese vessels in Kinmen waters in 2024. “Without restrictions, why would people report violations?” she asked. Yet, she also stressed that both sides’ law enforcement in the sea are similar and based on humanitarian principles, ready to assist when people are in need.

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