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MAC rejects China's criticism of boat incident
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC says Taiwan will continue to enforce the law in waters it controls. It has also rejected Beijing's criticism of the way the Coast Guard handled a case near Kinmen that eventually left two Chinese nationals dead. Two other Chinese nationals remain in custody.
The council says Taipei will continue "to enforce the law" in waters it controls based on the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.
Under the law, Taiwanese authorities may take any defensive action necessary if a Chinese vessel enters "restricted" or "prohibited" waters controlled by Taiwan.
The statement comes amid on-going condemnation in China over the deaths of the two Chinese nationals during a high-speed chase in waters about one nautical mile off the eastern coast of Kinmen.
Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office is calling on Taiwan to release both the boat and the two Chinese nationals as soon as possible - saying "China reserves the right to take further measures, and Taiwan will bear all consequences."
China's Coast Guard has announced that it will "enhance its maritime law enforcement capabilities and increase regular patrols in the waters around Xiamen and Kinmen."
