A reporter asked: Recently, the China Coast Guard again entered the so-called “prohibited waters” near Kinmen to conduct law-enforcement patrols. Does the Taiwan Affairs Office have information on this, and what is your comment?
Spokesperson Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office replied that Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu are all parts of China. The waters between Xiamen and Kinmen have since ancient times been traditional fishing grounds used by fishermen on both sides of the Strait; the so-called “prohibited” or “restricted waters” simply do not exist. The China Coast Guard’s routine law-enforcement patrols in the relevant waters help maintain order for maritime production activities and safeguard the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Strait. We sternly warn the DPP authorities to recognize the historical and objective fact that fishermen across the Strait have long worked together in these traditional fishing grounds, and to stop the unwarranted seizure and detention of, and especially the use of dangerous and rough methods against, mainland fishing vessels and fishermen. Otherwise, they must bear all the consequences.