China seized a Taiwanese fishing boat with five crew members onboard for illegal fishing in its waters near Weitou port on Tuesday night. Taiwan has requested the release of the vessel and its crew, which includes two Taiwanese and three Indonesians. The boat was apprehended about 2.8 nautical miles off China’s coast, violating China’s annual fishing ban from May to August. Chinese authorities accuse the boat of using prohibited fishing gear and causing damage to marine resources.
Tensions over fishing rights in the contested waters between China and Taiwan have escalated, with frequent incidents like this one.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and insists on controlling the waters around it, although international navigation rights are disputed.
Taiwan has reported numerous similar seizures by China’s coast guard in recent years, while Taiwan itself has detained Chinese fishing boats.
When the Taiwanese boat was seized, a standoff ensued between Taiwanese and Chinese coast guard ships, with both sides using loudspeakers to communicate.
This incident reflects broader tensions as Taiwan and China increasingly enforce maritime regulations amidst disputes over fishing territories.
The incident highlights ongoing maritime disputes where both sides assert conflicting claims, complicating regional stability.
China’s actions are seen as part of its broader strategy to assert control over disputed waters, which has raised concerns internationally, especially among neighboring countries like Japan and the Philippines.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c06kv11llpvo