Navigating Tensions in the Waters Between Taiwan and China
Following a recent incident involving Chinese fishermen and Taiwan's coast guard, tensions continue to simmer in the waters surrounding Kinmen, a cluster of islands administered by Taiwan but in close proximity to China's coastline. Despite the heightened tensions, everyday life persists for the locals amidst the ongoing maritime challenges.
Two weeks after the tragic incident where two Chinese fishermen lost their lives while being pursued by Taiwan’s coast guard, tensions are still running high in the waters surrounding Kinmen. This group of outlying islands is under Taiwan’s control and is situated very close to China's shores.
Recently, China’s coast guard vessels have been frequently seen in the area, entering into Taiwan’s restricted waters against the rules that Beijing no longer recognizes.
In the harbors of Kinmen, signs of the latest flare-up are evident as many fishing boats remain unused due to temporary fishing restrictions.
Despite the restrictions, boat tours around Kinmen are still running. However, Taiwan's coast guard is keeping a close eye on them. Before setting sail, officers inspect each boat and remind captains to avoid entering Chinese waters.
For many people living in Kinmen, a place that was once a military front against Chinese aggression, life continues as normal.
Currently, it is not a busy time for tourists. Residents are seen going about their daily activities on calm streets covered in fog and rain. In the evenings, students start to leave a high school that has just reopened following the Lunar New Year holiday.
"We're not worried at all. It's not our problem. It's just Taiwan and mainland China arguing," said Hung Ho-cheng, a retired businessman, describing the relaxed attitude that is common on an island that has been a center of political tension for a long time.
Standing near a military bunker covered in plants, Hung mentioned that he has become accustomed to living with the reminders of a war fought between Mao Zedong's Communist regime and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government, which moved to Taiwan from mainland China in 1949.
Retired businessman and Kinmen resident Hung Ho-cheng.
Retired businessman and Kinmen resident Hung Ho-cheng.
During the Cold War, Kinmen faced intense attacks from Mao's Communist forces. They launched numerous amphibious assaults and shelled the islands repeatedly in an attempt to take control. By the late 1970s, about 1 million artillery shells had hit Kinmen, which is similar in size to New York's Staten Island.
Hung shared that in the past, when a mainland ship entered Taiwan's waters, their cannons would be fired without warning. This was the norm in their upbringing. The shots were aimed at the waters in front of the Chinese ships to deter them from advancing.
In the early 2000s, as tensions between Beijing and Taipei relaxed, both sides viewed Kinmen as a promising channel for peaceful interactions. This led to the establishment of a ferry service in 2001, connecting Kinmen to Xiamen, the nearest city on the Chinese coast.
With improving relations, Taiwan began welcoming Chinese tourists in 2008. This move transformed Kinmen into a sought-after destination for visitors from China. The island also drew in Taiwanese tourists and provided sightseeing boat trips around its waters.
Tourists in Kinmen gaze at the skyline of Xiamen on December 5, 2023.
Tourists in Kinmen gaze at the skyline of Xiamen on December 5, 2023.
Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images
But now, a new and far more frosty climate appears to be setting in around Kinmen.
Beijing has increased its presence in the area, accusing Taipei of the death of two Chinese fishermen. Analysts believe this is a strategy to weaken Taiwan's control of the waters.
Taiwan's security agencies suspect that China is using the incident to push its "gray zone" tactics against Taiwan. These tactics involve coercive or aggressive actions that fall short of open warfare.
Taiwan's Kinmen islands lie just a few miles from the Chinese port city of Xiamen
Taiwan's Kinmen islands lie just a few miles from the Chinese port city of Xiamen
John Mees/CNN
Related article
Meet the Kinmen islanders who prefer a bridge over a war. A senior Taiwan security official mentioned at a recent briefing that the island's coast guard is regularly assessing the need for reinforcements around Kinmen. However, they have decided to maintain their current posture to prevent tensions from escalating further.
On Monday, five Chinese coast guard ships sailed into restricted waters near Kinmen, but they quickly departed after Taiwan's coast guard issued a warning. According to a Taiwanese minister, this incident holds great political significance.
"The act can be seen as a declaration of sovereignty," explained Kuan Bi-ling, who leads Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council.
Last week, Taiwanese tour boat passengers were shocked when Chinese coast guard officers boarded the boat for an inspection.
Upon returning to Kinmen with Taiwanese coast guard ship escort, a passenger expressed fear in a widely circulated video, saying, "It's super scary. I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to come back to Taiwan."
Kuan, the minister, said the incident triggered “panic” among Taiwanese people.
Kinmen's sleepy villages contrast with the skyscrapers of China's Xiamen city just across the water
Kinmen's sleepy villages contrast with the skyscrapers of China's Xiamen city just across the water
John Mees/CNN
Tour operators in Kinmen are concerned that repeated inspections by China’s coast guard could deter tourists from visiting. Chang, a tour boat operator who preferred to only provide his surname, expressed his worries about the potential negative impact on Kinmen’s tourism industry if these inspections continue to occur.
Kinmen is currently experiencing a decline in tourist numbers because of the foggy season. "If this continues and tourists are hesitant to take our boats, our business will suffer," he explained.
Despite the current situation, Chang remains optimistic. He mentioned that the ferry services between Kinmen and Xiamen are still running smoothly.
But he worries that a mistake could lead to a conflict. He believes that this is not what the people want, as both sides would suffer if there is a conflict.
Wu Chia-chiang, who is the chairman of the Kinmen County Tourism Association, mentioned that many residents in Kinmen feel helpless because they have limited control over the situation of cross-strait relations.
"We hope that this incident involving the capsizing of the Chinese fishing boat can be resolved peacefully and not turned into a political issue," he stated.
He shared, "In the past, Kinmen has experienced living under the threat of artillery shelling. Growing up amidst gunfire, we are concerned about the possibility of war breaking out in Kinmen once again."
Editor's P/S:
The article paints a vivid picture of the heightened tensions between China and Taiwan in the waters surrounding Kinmen. The presence of Chinese coast guard vessels in Taiwan's restricted waters, the inspection of Taiwanese tour boats, and the recent loss of Chinese fishermen have created a sense of unease among residents. The article also highlights the historical significance of Kinmen as a battleground during the Cold War, which adds to the current concerns about the potential for conflict.
As a reader, I am deeply concerned about the escalating tensions in the region. The use of "gray zone" tactics by China, which involves actions that fall short of open warfare, could lead to a miscalculation or unintended escalation. The fact that tourists have been subjected to inspections by Chinese coast guard officers raises further alarm, as it could deter people from visiting Kinmen and damage the island's economy. It is crucial that both sides exercise restraint and engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve their differences peacefully. The people of Kinmen have endured decades of conflict, and they deserve to live in peace and security.
