A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday said that the mainland coast guard's recent seizure of a Taiwan fishing boat suspected of illegal operations in waters near the city of Quanzhou was legitimate and lawful.
Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to a media query about slander from certain members of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regarding the issue.
He emphasized that the baseless accusations and political manipulations of certain DPP members are driven by malicious intent and will not contribute to solving the problem.
This was in response to Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen Speaking to reporters in parliament earlier in the week, saying it was unusual for Chinese officials to board and then detain a Taiwanese trawler, and noting China's explanation that it was illegally fishing.
But China may also have done this to demonstrate its jurisdiction over the strait and put pressure on Taiwan's government, he added.
"We must continue to analyze whether this is a cognitive warfare operation and will fully assess what the motivations are for the Chinese communists," Tsai said.
(Xinhua)
The Da Jin Man No.88 in custody with the Chinese Coast Guard. (Anonymous contributor)
