Collision between Navy vessel, Chinese fishing boat under investigation

Taipei, April 4 (CNA) The Taiwanese Navy said Friday it was still investigating a March 27 collision between one of its vessels and a Chinese fishing boat in waters off central Taiwan.

In a statement, Taiwan's Naval Fleet Command said the Navy was currently working with the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) to clarify accountability, and that subsequent matters will be handled in accordance with the mechanism for cross-strait negotiations and other relevant procedures.

The incident happened on March 27, when the Chung Ho-class tank landing ship, hull number LST-232, collided with the Chinese-registered "Min Lien Yu 61756" at 12:38 a.m. about 45 nautical miles off the Port of Taichung.

The Taiwanese vessel sustained some unspecified damage, but it did not compromise its navigational safety, the Navy command said at the time.

No one on either of the two boats was injured in the accident, it added.

According to the Navy, Taiwan's CGA that day dispatched two patrol vessels to the scene to handle the matter and collect evidence pending an investigation.

On Thursday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office demanded that Taiwan compensate the Chinese fishermen for their losses.