Kinmen

Taiwan finds concerns grow and options shrink as mainland China increases patrols around Taipei-controlled Quemoy

by
Taiwan finds concerns grow and options shrink as mainland China increases patrols around Taipei-controlled Quemoy

Since late February, the mainland coastguard has deployed several dozen ships in at least nine missions to patrol the waters surrounding Quemoy and Matsu, another of Taiwan’s defence outposts. 02:20 Two mainland Chinese fishermen drown after Taiwan coastguard pursuit Two mainland Chinese fishermen drown after Taiwan coastguard pursuit These patrols, which were previously rare, were … Read more

Opinion | Taiwan’s incoming government faces tough task to win back public

by
Opinion | Taiwan’s incoming government faces tough task to win back public

The following week, mainland Chinese coastguard troops boarded and searched a Taiwanese cruise ship near Quemoy. Two Taiwanese fishermen were also detained on March 18, one of whom was handed back. The other remains in mainland custody after being found to be a Taiwanese soldier. Given Quemoy’s proximity to the mainland, Taiwan would probably struggle … Read more

Taiwan puts Quemoy live-fire drills on hold after Beijing warns against ‘targeted’ provocation

by
Taiwan puts Quemoy live-fire drills on hold after Beijing warns against ‘targeted’ provocation

On Tuesday, citing bad weather, the Kinmen Defence Command, which had been set to stage the drills, put off the exercises, which include using land-based weapons to fire at sea. “We need to postpone the drills due to adverse weather conditions,” an officer at the Kinmen Defence Command said by phone. “Shooting training at land-based … Read more

Ex-Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou starts ‘journey of peace’ in mainland China

by
Ex-Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou starts ‘journey of peace’ in mainland China

Before he left for Shenzhen on Monday, Ma told reporters at the airport that his trip would be “a journey of peace and a journey of friendship”. “In the face of the increasingly tense situation in the Taiwan Strait, I hope we can convey the sentiments of the Taiwanese people that they love peace, hope … Read more

Mainland China says it will watch Taiwanese military exercises closely for signs of ‘provocation’

by
Mainland China says it will watch Taiwanese military exercises closely for signs of ‘provocation’

Taiwan is planning a series of offshore live-fire military drills throughout April around its offshore islets, including Quemoy, a Taiwanese-held outpost which is a short distance from the mainland city of Xiamen. On Wednesday, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for mainland China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said Beijing is closely monitoring the movements of the Taiwanese army, … Read more

Beijing holding ‘Taiwanese soldier’ who ‘lied about identity’ after being picked up by mainland Chinese coastguards

by
Beijing holding ‘Taiwanese soldier’ who ‘lied about identity’ after being picked up by mainland Chinese coastguards

Beijing says it is holding a Taiwanese soldier who was rescued by mainland Chinese coastguards earlier this week and then tried to conceal his real identity. Chen Binhua, a spokesman for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said that man, identified only by the surname Hu, was one of two people rescued by coastguards off the coast … Read more

Taiwan to stage offshore live-fire military drills after several recent incidents in the same area

by
Taiwan to stage offshore live-fire military drills after several recent incidents in the same area

Taiwan will kick off a series of live-fire military drills next month in the area around its offshore islets, including Quemoy, a source of mounting friction between Taipei and Beijing following a series of recent marine incidents. The Kinmen Defence Command under the Taiwanese army will stage artillery exercises to bolster combat readiness at seven … Read more

No risk of war before new Taiwan president takes office but Beijing to keep up coercion drive, island’s spy chief says

by
No risk of war before new Taiwan president takes office but Beijing to keep up coercion drive, island’s spy chief says

“Presently we do not see any risky signal that could catalyse a war [in the Taiwan Strait]”, Tsai said when asked to analyse the cross-strait situation after the close of Beijing’s “two sessions” – annual meetings of its national legislature and top political advisory body. Tsai said his bureau had shared intelligence with foreign governments … Read more

Fatal coastguard chase: Taiwan blames Beijing’s lack of enforcement on illegal fishing boats

by
Fatal coastguard chase: Taiwan blames Beijing’s lack of enforcement on illegal fishing boats

Taiwan has accused Beijing of inaction on unlicensed boats from mainland China, saying the failure was the ultimate cause of an encounter that led to the deaths of two fishermen in waters off a Taiwan-controlled defence outpost last month. The two mainland men were among four on a high-powered fishing boat that overturned during a … Read more

Fatal fishing boat crash isn’t first tragedy to test Xi Jinping in Taiwan Strait, but tensions make ties harder to mend

by
Fatal fishing boat crash isn’t first tragedy to test Xi Jinping in Taiwan Strait, but tensions make ties harder to mend

The cases have some similarities but this time it could be much more difficult to negotiate a resolution, observers say. 02:20 Two mainland Chinese fishermen drown after Taiwan coastguard pursuit Two mainland Chinese fishermen drown after Taiwan coastguard pursuit Both incidents happened amid a lack of communication and trust between the two sides. Like the … Read more