Taiwanese official watchdog blames coastguard for deaths of mainland Chinese fishermen

Taiwanese official watchdog blames coastguard for deaths of mainland Chinese fishermen

Taiwan’s government watchdog has criticised the island’s coastguard for “serious lapses” in a deadly incident involving a mainland Chinese boat. The February 14 incident resulted in the deaths of two fishermen whose boat capsized while being pursued by the Taiwanese coastguard near Quemoy, a Taipei-controlled outpost also known as Kinmen, a few kilometres from the … Read more

People’s Daily accuses Taiwan’s William Lai of pushing independence narrative

People’s Daily accuses Taiwan’s William Lai of pushing independence narrative

The People’s Daily published a commentary on Thursday that vowed to uproot the “historical narrative of Taiwan independence” – a narrative it said has been pushed by Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te. The warning came after Lai used the Friday anniversary of Taiwan’s return to China from imperial Japan after World War II to commemorate … Read more

100 days into the job, Taiwan’s new leader is cutting mainland ties by reframing history

100 days into the job, Taiwan’s new leader is cutting mainland ties by reframing history

His promotion of the “mutual non-subordination” theory to define Taiwan’s relationship with Beijing has raised concerns among observers, who fear it could further strain cross-strait ties and potentially lead to conflict. In his three major speeches on cross-strait relations since taking office, Lai has consistently stressed his view that the two sides of the Taiwan … Read more

Mainland China reins in coastguard patrols but maintains pressure on Taiwan

Mainland China reins in coastguard patrols but maintains pressure on Taiwan

Since the deal was struck, there have been no reports of mainland coastguard vessels in the area, nor have any Taiwanese vessels been boarded for inspection, according to the island’s coastguard administration. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council hailed the resolution of the incident as a positive approach to reducing cross-strait tensions, suggesting that both sides could … Read more

Mainland China returns Taiwanese fishing boat and 4 crew; captain held for investigation

Mainland China returns Taiwanese fishing boat and 4 crew; captain held for investigation

Mainland Chinese authorities returned a Taiwanese fishing boat seized in July and released four of its crew but a fifth person remains under investigation, as the two sides further attempt to solve a series of fishery-related disputes that started in February. According to Beijing’s state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday, Fujian Coast Guard repatriated four of … Read more

Mainland China tour group arrives in Taiwan’s Matsu as Beijing eases travel curbs

Mainland China tour group arrives in Taiwan’s Matsu as Beijing eases travel curbs

A small tour group from mainland China embarked on a three-day trip to a Taiwan-governed archipelago on Friday, becoming the first group tour to visit the islands since Beijing loosened travel restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic. A seven-member tour group departed from a pier in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, and arrived in the Matsu … Read more

Does a deal over 2 fishermen mean Taiwan and mainland China are ready to restart talks?

Does a deal over 2 fishermen mean Taiwan and mainland China are ready to restart talks?

But analysts remain cautious, saying neither is willing to compromise on the most critical issue. 02:20 Two mainland Chinese fishermen drown after Taiwan coastguard pursuit Two mainland Chinese fishermen drown after Taiwan coastguard pursuit Under the agreement reached on Tuesday, Taiwan agreed to compensate the victims’ families, apologise, and repatriate the bodies of the two … Read more

Mainland China and Taiwan reach deal to resolve crisis over fishing crew deaths near Quemoy

Mainland China and Taiwan reach deal to resolve crisis over fishing crew deaths near Quemoy

Mainland and Taiwanese officials met soon after the incident, holding 15 rounds of talks, but the negotiations stalled in March. The incident added fuel to the flames of cross-strait relations, with the Taiwanese coastguard accusing the men of trespassing in restricted waters and mainland officials accusing the island’s authorities of “rough dispersal of the fishing … Read more

Taiwan kicks off Han Kuang war games with live-fire drills closer to mainland China

Taiwan kicks off Han Kuang war games with live-fire drills closer to mainland China

“These [real-life battlefield] scenarios guide officers and soldiers to validate through exercises the feasibility of joint operation plans and the ability of all military units to execute these plans in a real combat situation,” the ministry said in an earlier statement. This is also the first Han Kuang exercise since William Lai Ching-te – branded … Read more

China Coast Guard detains Taiwanese fishing boat and 5 crew members near Quemoy

China Coast Guard detains Taiwanese fishing boat and 5 crew members near Quemoy

Mainland officers boarded the boat for inspection and told the captain and crew to navigate towards the mainland coastal city of Jinjiang in Fujian province. The Taiwanese coastguard tried to intervene but the mainland sent seven vessels in two groups to block them. After a tense stand-off lasting about 50 minutes, the Taiwanese side ceased … Read more