02:07The Deputy Director of the Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration Hsieh Ching-chin asked China on Wednesday to 'promptly explain' and 'release' the Taiwanese 'Da Jin Man 88' fishing vessel seized on Tuesday, and not to 'handle the incident with political considerations', during a press conference in Taipei.
"The Mainland Affairs Council and the Fisheries Agency will reach out to the Chinese side through cross-strait channels," he added.
He confirmed that the fishing vessel was captured at 9:14 p.m. local time by three China Coast Guard ships 2.9 nautical miles within the baseline of the Chinese territorial sea and 13 nautical miles from Beiding, Kinmen.
"The Coast Guard Administration immediately broadcasted to the China Coast Guard ships, demanding the immediate release of the 'Da Jin Man 88' fishing vessel. The Chinese side also broadcasted, urging us not to interfere," the director added.
The vessel registered in Penghu was seized by the Chinese Coast Guard on Tuesday evening with two Taiwanese and three Indonesian crew members on board. Taiwanese Coast Guard ordered two patrol ships 10081 and 3505 to advance 'Da Jin Man 88' and rescue it. It was reported that the patrol ships didn’t pursue the vessels to avoid escalating tensions.
"According to the owner of the large vessel who reported the incident, a few days ago, the China Coast Guard had already broadcasted to them to prohibit fishing during the moratorium. Until last night, they boarded and inspected the vessel. As for the reason for the boarding, we hope China will explain it promptly," Ching-chin said.
The Chinese Coast Guard reported that its Fujian branch had captured the Taiwanese vessels suspected of 'illegal fishing activities,' according to media reports.
Following the seizure, the Mayor of Taipei Hou Yu-ih addressed China on Wednesday to call for the release of the vessel and its crew, stressing its duty is to 'protect its people and ships at sea.'
Ching-chin said that the Chinese Coast Guard has reported that it expelled 138 foreign fishing vessels from Chinese waters this year, boarding 14 vessels and seizing one with a ten-man crew, also accusing the agency of having 'harassed' a Japanese fishing vessel near the Diaoyutai Islands.
"We want to issue a special reminder to our fishing vessels and those passing through nearby waters to be more vigilant," he said.
China declared its annual moratorium on fishing in parts of its waters which it says are breeding grounds for squid from May this year, which is expected to last until September.
Taiwanese coast guard chief urges China to 'promptly explain' and release seized 'Da Jin Man 88' shipping vessel
The Deputy Director of the Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration Hsieh Ching-chin asked China on Wednesday to 'promptly explain' and 'release' the Taiwanese 'Da Jin Man 88' fishing vessel seized on Tuesday, and not to 'handle the incident with political considerations', during a press conference in Taipei.
"The Mainland Affairs Council and the Fisheries Agency will reach out to the Chinese side through cross-strait channels," he added.
He confirmed that the fishing vessel was captured at 9:14 p.m. local time by three China Coast Guard ships 2.9 nautical miles within the baseline of the Chinese territorial sea and 13 nautical miles from Beiding, Kinmen.
"The Coast Guard Administration immediately broadcasted to the China Coast Guard ships, demanding the immediate release of the 'Da Jin Man 88' fishing vessel. The Chinese side also broadcasted, urging us not to interfere," the director added.
The vessel registered in Penghu was seized by the Chinese Coast Guard on Tuesday evening with two Taiwanese and three Indonesian crew members on board. Taiwanese Coast Guard ordered two patrol ships 10081 and 3505 to advance 'Da Jin Man 88' and rescue it. It was reported that the patrol ships didn’t pursue the vessels to avoid escalating tensions.
"According to the owner of the large vessel who reported the incident, a few days ago, the China Coast Guard had already broadcasted to them to prohibit fishing during the moratorium. Until last night, they boarded and inspected the vessel. As for the reason for the boarding, we hope China will explain it promptly," Ching-chin said.
The Chinese Coast Guard reported that its Fujian branch had captured the Taiwanese vessels suspected of 'illegal fishing activities,' according to media reports.
Following the seizure, the Mayor of Taipei Hou Yu-ih addressed China on Wednesday to call for the release of the vessel and its crew, stressing its duty is to 'protect its people and ships at sea.'
Ching-chin said that the Chinese Coast Guard has reported that it expelled 138 foreign fishing vessels from Chinese waters this year, boarding 14 vessels and seizing one with a ten-man crew, also accusing the agency of having 'harassed' a Japanese fishing vessel near the Diaoyutai Islands.
"We want to issue a special reminder to our fishing vessels and those passing through nearby waters to be more vigilant," he said.
China declared its annual moratorium on fishing in parts of its waters which it says are breeding grounds for squid from May this year, which is expected to last until September.
The Deputy Director of the Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration Hsieh Ching-chin asked China on Wednesday to 'promptly explain' and 'release' the Taiwanese 'Da Jin Man 88' fishing vessel seized on Tuesday, and not to 'handle the incident with political considerations', during a press conference in Taipei.
"The Mainland Affairs Council and the Fisheries Agency will reach out to the Chinese side through cross-strait channels," he added.
He confirmed that the fishing vessel was captured at 9:14 p.m. local time by three China Coast Guard ships 2.9 nautical miles within the baseline of the Chinese territorial sea and 13 nautical miles from Beiding, Kinmen.
"The Coast Guard Administration immediately broadcasted to the China Coast Guard ships, demanding the immediate release of the 'Da Jin Man 88' fishing vessel. The Chinese side also broadcasted, urging us not to interfere," the director added.
The vessel registered in Penghu was seized by the Chinese Coast Guard on Tuesday evening with two Taiwanese and three Indonesian crew members on board. Taiwanese Coast Guard ordered two patrol ships 10081 and 3505 to advance 'Da Jin Man 88' and rescue it. It was reported that the patrol ships didn’t pursue the vessels to avoid escalating tensions.
"According to the owner of the large vessel who reported the incident, a few days ago, the China Coast Guard had already broadcasted to them to prohibit fishing during the moratorium. Until last night, they boarded and inspected the vessel. As for the reason for the boarding, we hope China will explain it promptly," Ching-chin said.
The Chinese Coast Guard reported that its Fujian branch had captured the Taiwanese vessels suspected of 'illegal fishing activities,' according to media reports.
Following the seizure, the Mayor of Taipei Hou Yu-ih addressed China on Wednesday to call for the release of the vessel and its crew, stressing its duty is to 'protect its people and ships at sea.'
Ching-chin said that the Chinese Coast Guard has reported that it expelled 138 foreign fishing vessels from Chinese waters this year, boarding 14 vessels and seizing one with a ten-man crew, also accusing the agency of having 'harassed' a Japanese fishing vessel near the Diaoyutai Islands.
"We want to issue a special reminder to our fishing vessels and those passing through nearby waters to be more vigilant," he said.
China declared its annual moratorium on fishing in parts of its waters which it says are breeding grounds for squid from May this year, which is expected to last until September.