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Taiwan
ChinaPolitics

Mainland China reins in coastguard patrols but maintains pressure on Taiwan

  • Deal struck over fishing boat fatalities part of Beijing’s carrot-and-stick approach but does not signify reconciliation, experts say

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Anti-landing barricades on the beach at Taiwanese-controlled Quemoy Island, with the Chinese mainland in the background. Photo: Reuters
Lawrence Chungin Taipei
Beijing appears to have eased the pressure on Taiwan over maritime security since the two sides resolved the crisis sparked by the deaths of two mainland fishermen in February.
But analysts cautioned that the settlement did not signify a reconciliation, with Beijing maintaining its carrot-and-stick approach.

Taiwan returned the remains of the two fishermen who died while being being pursued by the island’s coastguard after reaching an agreement late last month. The deal included an apology and compensation payments to their familes.

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Since the deal was struck, there have been no reports of mainland coastguard vessels in the area, nor have any Taiwanese vessels been boarded for inspection, according to the island’s coastguard administration.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council hailed the resolution of the incident as a positive approach to reducing cross-strait tensions, suggesting that both sides could learn from this experience and avoid similar incidents through communication and dialogue.

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However, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said that the island must accept the one-China principle before any discussions on easing the cross-strait stalemate can take place.

The deaths of the fishermen near the Taiwan-controlled island of Quemoy – also known as Kinmen – on February 14 set off a barrage of accusations from both sides, as well as intensified mainland coastguard patrols in the Taiwan Strait.

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