Taiwan condemns China coast guard activities around Dongsha

Taipei, March 21 (CNA) Taiwanese authorities on Friday condemned the recent increase in Chinese coast guard-escorted fishing vessels operating illegally in waters around Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands in the South China Sea.

In a news release, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said unusually large groupings of Chinese fishing vessels began to appear around Dongsha on Feb. 15, when at least six motherships and 29 smaller boats were sighted.

While CGA vessels were dispatched to expel the Chinese boats, Chinese coast guard ships trespassed into Taiwan's restricted waters and unsuccessfully attempted to interfere, the CGA said.

Due to the provocation, the CGA said it initiated an operation to increase patrols around the Dongsha Islands on Feb. 26.

As a part of the operation, the CGA said that it stopped and boarded the Chinese fishing vessel "Yueraoyu 23588" on Feb. 26 and was again interrupted by the Chinese coast guard.

Similar incidents also occurred on March 11 and between March 12 and 18, when Chinese coast guards lingered around the restricted waters around Dongsha Islands, the CGA said.

The CGA heavily condemned the actions of China's coast guard, saying that the interference was an act of provocation against Taiwan's sovereignty.

The CGA said the Dongsha Atoll National Park is Taiwan's first marine national park and there are clear regulations put in place to ban commercial and private fishing in the area.

The CGA added that Taiwan's conservation efforts in the area have resulted in its marine population being rich and abundant.

By comparison, China has heavily depleted its ocean resources, which was why Chinese fishermen have trespassed into Taiwan's waters to conduct illegal fishing activities.

Additionally, the CGA said in observation of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Taiwan will continue combating illegal fishing activities that seek to ruin Taiwan's marine-life sustainability.

China's act of having its coast guard chaperone its vessels for illegal fishing activities displayed complete disregard for ocean sustainability, the CGA said.

The administration added that the Chinese coast guard's interference not only heightened cross-strait tension but also disrupted peace in the Dongsha Islands area.

The administration will continue to monitor the activities of the Chinese coast guard to defend Taiwan's sovereignty and ensure the sustainability of marine resources, the CGA said.