US Monitors China’s Seizure of Taiwanese Fishing Boat Da Jin Man No. 88

The US State Department is keeping a close watch on the situation after China seized the Taiwanese fishing boat Da Jin Man No. 88 and detained its crew on July 2. The boat was intercepted by two Chinese coast guard ships northeast of Liaoluo Bay in Kinmen and taken to Fujian’s Weitou Port. The crew included two Taiwanese and three Indonesians.

The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) confirmed the incident occurred within Chinese waters and advised fishing associations to avoid these areas during China’s summer fishing moratorium. CGA Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin stated that follow-up negotiations would be handled through the Mainland Affairs Council and the Fisheries Agency, calling for the release of the crew and boat.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office described the seizure as ‘normal law enforcement’ and said it would be handled according to laws and regulations.

Additionally, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported detecting 30 Chinese military aircraft and 8 naval vessels near its territory. Nineteen of these aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the activity.