More than 100 Chinese boats gathered in the waters near the outlying Taiwanese islands of Matsu on Sunday. Although the islands are very close to China, the fishing boats, cargo ships, and dredgers had entered restricted waters administered by Taiwan.
“It looks like we’re surrounded." Those are the words of a man who watches as more than a hundred Chinese boats gather in waters near the Taiwanese islands of Matsu.
Taiwan’s coast guard tells the ships that they’ve entered restricted waters and orders them to disperse.
These ships began to gather in the early hours of Sunday morning, between the islands of Nankan and Juguang.
The coast guard informs the ships that they will use water cannons to drive them away.
But on Monday, Premier Su Tseng-chang tells residents of Taiwan’s outlying islands not to worry.
"The government will leave no stone unturned when it comes to protecting Taiwan’s territory," he says.
From the beginning of 2019, through the end of this September, Taiwan confiscated six Chinese boats and auctioned them off for NT$149,800,000 (US$5.2 million), slapping the owners with NT$7 million (US$245,000) in fines.
The government says it will strengthen maritime patrols and apprehend boats illegally entering Taiwan’s waters.