TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Coast Guard Administration on Saturday rejected Chinese claims about having rescued the crew of a fishing trawler from “China, Taiwan.”
The Chinese coast guard described the ship as a “fishing boat from China, Taiwan” and said it had extinguished a blaze on board and rescued the crew, per CNA. However, the Coast Guard Administration said that not only was China playing political games with the name of the country, the crew had in fact been rescued by a Taiwanese ship.
The fire started Thursday morning on the Chuan Yu No. 6, registered in Keelung, as it was operating northeast of the Japanese-held Diaoyutai Islands. Six crew members from the Philippines were rescued by the Chuan Yu No. 36, but the Taiwanese captain, surnamed Chang (張), 62, was missing, the Coast Guard said.
The Taoyuan patrol ship rushed to the area Thursday night, but due to rough seas, the Filipino crew members were left on board the Chuan Yu No. 36. The Coast Guard ship instead focused on the search for Chang.
On Friday evening, the Chinese coast guard said it had come to the fishing trawler’s rescue near the Diaoyutai and helped extinguish the blaze. The Coast Guard Administration reacted with a news release Saturday, dismissing the Chinese claims.
Another Coast Guard vessel, the Yilan, has joined the search for the missing captain, which was continuing Saturday.
China’s description of the origin of the fishing trawler as “China, Taiwan” violated Taiwan’s sovereignty, the Coast Guard said.
