TAIPEI [Taiwan], Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on Wednesday demanded China to provide an explanation over the seizure of a Taiwanese fishing vessel and immediately release its crew, Taiwan-based Taiwan News reported.
Da Jin Man No. 88 was seized by the Chinese coast guard on Tuesday. The CGA said two Taiwanese and three Indonesians were on board the plane, Taiwan News reported.
CGA deputy director-general Hsieh Ching-chin said the agency received a report from the boat owner at 8.14pm on Tuesday. It was intercepted by two Chinese coast guard vessels 43.89 km (23.7 nmi) northeast of Liaoluo port in Kinmen.
The CGA sent patrol boats PP-10081 and PP-3505 to assist Da Jin Man No. 88. CGA also sent PP-10039 for assistance.
PP-10081 was intercepted by three Chinese coast guard vessels at 9.14 pm. The CGA demanded the immediate release of Da Jin Man No. 88, but the Chinese Coast Guard responded by urging it not to intervene.
The CGA found four more Chinese coast guard vessels converging on the scene. The Coast Guard was unable to free the fishing boat and decided to tow it back to avoid escalating tensions.
By 10.30pm on Tuesday, the Taiwanese fishing boat had been taken to Fujian's Weitou port by the Chinese coast guard, Hsieh said. The boarding location was 20.74 km from Shenhu city in Fujian, within Chinese territorial waters.
Hsieh said there is currently a fishing moratorium period in China. He said further talks with the Chinese side would be conducted through the Mainland Affairs Council and the Fisheries Agency.
On Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that a total of 22 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels were detected operating in the vicinity of Taiwan around 6 a.m. (Taiwan local time).
Da Jin Man No. 88 was seized by the Chinese coast guard on Tuesday. The CGA said two Taiwanese and three Indonesians were on board the plane, Taiwan News reported.
CGA deputy director-general Hsieh Ching-chin said the agency received a report from the boat owner at 8.14pm on Tuesday. It was intercepted by two Chinese coast guard vessels 43.89 km (23.7 nmi) northeast of Liaoluo port in Kinmen.
The CGA sent patrol boats PP-10081 and PP-3505 to assist Da Jin Man No. 88. CGA also sent PP-10039 for assistance.
PP-10081 was intercepted by three Chinese coast guard vessels at 9.14 pm. The CGA demanded the immediate release of Da Jin Man No. 88, but the Chinese Coast Guard responded by urging it not to intervene.
The CGA found four more Chinese coast guard vessels converging on the scene. The Coast Guard was unable to free the fishing boat and decided to tow it back to avoid escalating tensions.
By 10.30pm on Tuesday, the Taiwanese fishing boat had been taken to Fujian's Weitou port by the Chinese coast guard, Hsieh said. The boarding location was 20.74 km from Shenhu city in Fujian, within Chinese territorial waters.
Hsieh said there is currently a fishing moratorium period in China. He said further talks with the Chinese side would be conducted through the Mainland Affairs Council and the Fisheries Agency.
On Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that a total of 22 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels were detected operating in the vicinity of Taiwan around 6 a.m. (Taiwan local time).
