Taiwan Vessel Returns to Kinmen After being Boarded by Chinese Coast Guard

Defense News ,Taiwan :- A Taiwanese cruise ship named "King Xia" faced an unexpected encounter with Chinese coast guard personnel, leading to an escort back to Kinmen. The vessel, carrying 11 crew members and 23 passengers, was intercepted 2.8 nautical miles northwest of Kinmen's Wushajiao by two Chinese coast guard boats around 4:47 pm.

Six Chinese officers boarded the Taiwanese vessel to inspect it and requested documents from the crew. The inspection concluded at 5:19 pm, and the Chinese personnel left the King Xia. The Taiwanese coast guard, alerted by radar, dispatched the PP-10039 coastguard patrol boat to the scene.

The patrol boat reached the King Xia at 5:33 pm, escorting it back to Shuitou Port. The Taiwanese coast guard explained that the vessel had slightly veered off course due to multiple shoals near Wushajiao.

The coast guard acknowledged previous instances of Chinese tourist vessels mistakenly entering Taiwan-held waters near Kinmen, usually resulting in warnings rather than boardings. They urged China to prioritize peace and rationality while jointly maintaining tranquility in the waters around Xiamen and Kinmen. Simultaneously, Taiwanese operators were reminded to avoid proximity to Chinese waters during maritime activities.

In response to the incident, the Maritime and Port Bureau expressed concerns about China's actions, deeming them inconsistent with international norms. The bureau advised Taiwanese vessels to refuse Chinese boarding requests in the future and promptly notify the Coast Guard Administration for assistance.

The escalation of maritime tensions follows a recent incident where a speedboat from Fujian province capsized off Kinmen's eastern coast on Feb. 14, leading to fatalities. China deployed coast guard vessels in response to this incident, adding complexity to the already delicate situation in the region.