Taiwan and China Work Together After Fishing Boat Sinks Near Kinmen
A Chinese fishing boat named Minlongyu 60877 sank off the coast of Kinmen on August 17 after colliding with another ship. The incident led to joint search and rescue operations by Taiwan’s Coast Guard and Chinese authorities.
Rescue Efforts
Of the seven crew members on board, four were successfully rescued, while three remain missing. On the same day, the Chinese Coast Guard sent two patrol ships and one rescue vessel to the Taiwan Strait. These ships briefly crossed the median line dividing Taiwan and China but returned to Chinese waters without entering Taiwan’s restricted zones. The Taiwanese military closely monitored their movements.
Political Reactions
Wu Szu-yao, leader of the Taiwanese Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus, expressed strong disapproval of China’s actions. She criticized China’s hostile approach despite Taiwan’s initial goodwill, stating that such actions worsen Taiwanese resentment towards China and harm diplomatic relations. Wu urged China to exercise greater restraint and avoid taking advantage of Taiwan’s willingness to cooperate.
Previous Incidents
This incident follows a similar event in February when a Chinese speedboat capsized off Kinmen after entering Taiwanese waters and attempting to evade Taiwan’s Coast Guard vessels. The February incident resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals and further strained relations between Taiwan and China.
Conclusion
Wu’s remarks highlight growing frustration in Taiwan regarding China’s aggressive maritime activities and emphasize the need for both sides to seek diplomatic solutions to avoid further escalation.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and is known for its technology and beautiful landscapes.
China -: China is a large country in Asia, known for its long history, the Great Wall, and being the most populated country in the world.
Kinmen -: Kinmen is a small group of islands very close to China but controlled by Taiwan. It’s known for its historical sites and military importance.
Minlongyu 60877 -: Minlongyu 60877 is the name of the Chinese fishing boat that sank. Boats often have numbers to identify them.
collision -: A collision is when two things crash into each other. In this case, the fishing boat hit something and sank.
search and rescue -: Search and rescue is when people look for and help those who are in danger or lost, like the crew members of the sunken boat.
crew members -: Crew members are the people who work on a boat or ship. They help to sail and manage the boat.
Wu Szu-yao -: Wu Szu-yao is a person from Taiwan who spoke about the incident. He wants China to be careful so that the situation doesn’t get worse.
diplomatic solutions -: Diplomatic solutions are ways to solve problems by talking and making agreements, instead of fighting.
