The Straits Times reported on the evening of October 3: "As Taiwan escalates its patrols and law enforcement activities around Dongsha Island, coast guard vessels from Taiwan have used water cannons to disperse mainland Chinese fishing boats entering the so-called 'restricted area,' sparking discussions across the Strait about Taiwan's increasingly assertive stance."
It is a normal practice for fishermen on both sides of the strait to operate in traditional fishing grounds. However, Taiwan’s use of such hazardous and forceful measures against fellow Chinese citizens is deeply troubling.
Dongsha Island is China’s inherent territory, and Taiwan is an integral part of China. The so-called 'restricted area' is a unilateral claim by Taiwan, which has no authority to enforce regulations on mainland fishing vessels. Deploying water cannons against unarmed fishermen not only endangers lives and property but also heightens the risk of misjudgment and escalation at sea. Using water cannons against defenseless fishermen reveals the insecurity and arrogance of 'Taiwan independence' forces. Yet the more Taiwan provokes, the broader the scope of mainland law enforcement will become, and the stronger the countermeasures will be.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1878049278164992/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.