China Daily Editorial
The Fujian coast guard authority has strengthened its maritime law enforcement capabilities and is conducting regular patrols in the waters near Fujian’s Xiamen and Kinmen islands.
This is a natural move after two Chinese mainland fishermen drowned as a result of their vessel being chased from the area by the Taiwan authorities. It is meant to maintain order in these areas and safeguard fishermen’s lives and property.
If the tragedy had not occurred, it would be unnecessary for the Fujian coast guard to do so.
The island’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities claim that the mainland boat was entering “prohibited” waters off the coast of Kinmen island, and the crew ended up in the water when it was being chased away. Such a claim is provocative. The waters near Xiamen and Kinmen have long been traditional fishing grounds for fishermen from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and, as a spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council pointed out, there is “no prohibition or restriction” that pertains to the waters. Yet the DPP authorities have repeatedly detained mainland fishing boats under various pretexts and treated mainland fishermen in a rude and dangerous manner.
In contrast, the mainland has long upheld the principle that both sides of the Strait are one family, and made a lot of efforts to facilitate the operation of fishermen from both sides.
The mainland has established reception facilities for Taiwan fishermen in numerous coastal areas, providing them with assistance such as shelters and supplies, and rescuing Taiwan fishing boats and fishermen when they are in need of help.
This incident that caused the death of two mainland fishermen is the result of the DPP authorities’ misperception of the relations across the Strait and their long-term wrong practices under their secessionist policies.
There is no reason for the mainland to tolerate the DPP authorities’ disregard for the safety of its fishermen and property, and it may take further measures.
The ball is in the court of the DPP authorities. They should release the boat and fishermen they have detained as soon as possible, hold those responsible for the tragedy to account, give an explanation for what happened to the families of the victims and provide them compensation for their loss.
The DPP authorities need to be reminded that there is a limit to the mainland’s tolerance of the moves it has taken aimed at portraying the island as being independent of the motherland. How this incident is settled will be consequential to relations across the Strait. The worsening cross-Strait ties will only infringe on the interests of Taiwan residents, who are hostages to the DPP’s ill intention of seeking the island’s “independence”.
It is only a pipeline dream for the DPP authorities to expect to benefit from the increased tension across the Strait.
– Courtesy of China Daily
