Introduction: Captain of Taiwanese Fishing Vessel Freed After Four-Month Detention
The captain of a Taiwanese fishing vessel detained by Chinese authorities for over four months was released on Friday, following the payment of a fine of over RMB 210,000 (approximately US$29,056). The incident, stemming from illegal fishing within China’s territorial waters, has finally come to a close, with the captain and the vessel now on their way back to Taiwan’s Penghu Islands.
The release was the result of diplomatic negotiations, which included the involvement of local officials, including Chen Yu-Jen (Speaker of Penghu County Council) and Chen Shuang-chuan (Former Deputy Speaker). The payment of the fine allowed the “Da Jin Man No. 88” fishing vessel and its captain, Hung, to be freed after a lengthy detention, marking the end of this dispute.
Details of the Detention Incident
On July 2, the Taiwanese fishing vessel “Da Jin Man No. 88”, along with its captain and four crew members, was seized by the China Coast Guard for fishing illegally in Chinese territorial waters. The incident occurred 17.5 nautical miles east-northeast of Liaoluo Bay, which is outside Taiwan’s “restricted waters” near the Kinmen Islands. The Chinese authorities accused the crew of violating China’s seasonal fishing moratorium, a policy designed to protect marine ecosystems.
The captain and his crew were detained, with the four crew members, who included one Taiwanese national and three Indonesian nationals, released in August due to minor violations that did not warrant criminal charges. The Taiwanese government immediately began working through diplomatic channels to resolve the situation.
The Negotiations: Role of Taiwanese Officials
The resolution of the case was achieved after extensive efforts by several Taiwanese officials. Chen Shuang-chuan, who also serves as the chairman of the Penghu Cross-Strait Exchange Association, played a key role in facilitating the negotiations between the two sides. Additionally, Chen Yu-Jen, the Speaker of the Penghu County Council, was instrumental in coordinating with the Chinese authorities to arrange the payment of the fine.
Luo Wen-jia, Secretary-General of Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation, also reiterated the importance of handling cross-strait issues in accordance with agreements that have been previously signed to ensure that the rights and welfare of Taiwanese citizens are protected.
The payment of the fine—RMB 100,000 for the captain, and RMB 110,000 for the vessel—was crucial in securing the release of Hung and his vessel, which were then sent back to Taiwan.
Return of the Fishing Vessel and Captain to Taiwan
At 2:00 p.m. on Friday, the “Da Jin Man No. 88” and its captain were escorted to the median line of the Taiwan Strait, where they were met by another vessel, the “Da Jin Man No. 8”. This boat, part of the same fishing fleet, was dispatched to escort the freed vessel back to Penghu County, Taiwan.
Hung and the vessel are expected to arrive at Zhuwan Harbor in Penghu on Saturday morning. This marks the end of a tense and prolonged situation, which had left the captain’s family and the vessel’s owner waiting anxiously for his safe return.
Table: Timeline of Events Related to the Detention and Release of “Da Jin Man No. 88”
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| July 2 | Seizure of the Vessel | The “Da Jin Man No. 88” is detained by the China Coast Guard in Chinese territorial waters. |
| August | Release of Four Crew Members | Four crew members, including one Taiwanese national and three Indonesian nationals, are released. |
| Friday | Fine Payment and Release | The captain and vessel are released after paying a fine of RMB 210,000. |
| Friday, 2:00 p.m. | Escort to Taiwan | The vessel is escorted to the median line of the Taiwan Strait, where the return journey begins. |
| Saturday morning | Arrival in Penghu | The fishing vessel and captain are expected to arrive at Zhuwan Harbor in Penghu. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why was the Taiwanese fishing vessel “Da Jin Man No. 88” detained by Chinese authorities?
The vessel was detained for illegal fishing in Chinese territorial waters during a seasonal fishing moratorium, which was in place to protect marine ecosystems.
2. What was the role of Taiwanese officials in the release of the captain and vessel?
Several Taiwanese officials, including Chen Yu-Jen (Speaker of Penghu County Council) and Chen Shuang-chuan (Former Deputy Speaker), negotiated with Chinese authorities to arrange the payment of the fine, which led to the release of the captain and the vessel.
3. How much was the fine that was paid to release the captain and vessel?
The total fine amounted to over RMB 210,000 (approximately US$29,056). RMB 100,000 was levied on the captain, and the remaining amount was imposed on the vessel.
4. What happened to the other crew members detained along with the captain?
The four crew members—one Taiwanese national and three Indonesian nationals—were released earlier in August after being found guilty of minor violations. They did not face criminal charges.
5. When is the fishing vessel and captain expected to return to Taiwan?
The “Da Jin Man No. 88” and Captain Hung are expected to arrive in Penghu at Zhuwan Harbor on Saturday morning, completing their return to Taiwan after the four-month ordeal.
