In an act highlighting cross-strait cooperation, the Chinese mainland on Tuesday arranged for the return of four crew members from a Taiwan ship who were suspected of illegal fishing near the waters off Quanzhou City in Fujian Province.
According to Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the four crew members will not face prosecution as their offenses were minor. “The coast guard has acted in accordance with the law and guaranteed the legitimate rights and interests of the crew members,” Zhu told reporters, emphasizing the mainland’s commitment to protecting fishery resources and maintaining maritime order.
Another crew member from the same vessel remains under further investigation. The boat was seized by the mainland’s coast guard on July 2 during routine patrols aimed at curbing illegal fishing activities.
The timely return of the crew members underscores the importance of maritime cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, ensuring sustainable use of marine resources and safety in shared waters.
Reference(s):
Mainland sends back Taiwan fishermen suspected of illegal fishing
cgtn.com
