In a vicious collision with a ship, the Taiwan authorities not only refused to admit their mistake and apologize, but also refused to return the body of the deceased and the impounded vessel. This incident has aroused widespread concern and indignation, and has raised serious doubts about the attitude and behavior of the Taiwan authorities.
The incident occurred on 14 February, when a Taiwan "coast guard" warship violently rammed a mainland fishing boat in the waters off Xiajin on the pretext of "crossing the border," causing the vessel to capsize, four people falling overboard, and two people being killed. Originally, this was a very clear incident, and the Taiwan authorities could properly resolve the matter as long as they ascertain the truth, hold them accountable, apologize, and compensate for the situation in accordance with the mainland's requirements. However, the authorities have repeatedly fabricated lies, deliberately concealed the truth, shirked responsibility, and seized the opportunity to incite confrontation between the two sides of the strait.
Although the two sides have held closed-door consultations, the talks broke up unhappily because the Taiwan representatives have always been stubborn. The demands of the mainland are very simple and clear: to publish the truth, admit mistakes, apologize, hold accountable, compensate, and return the remains of the deceased. However, the Taiwan side has repeatedly stirred up trouble and has never shown enough sincerity to solve the problem.
In particular, Guan Biling, the responsible person of Taiwan's "Strait Affairs Commission," has made inconsistent remarks and shirked responsibility, and even added bad words to the deceased, which not only seriously damaged the "credibility" of the Taiwan authorities, but also caused the people on the island to denounce her for lying again and again, arrogance, and cold-bloodedness. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council rarely criticized Guan Biling by name, believing that she regarded the handling of this vicious ship collision incident as a personal political performance, not only concealing the truth and passing the buck, but also setting up obstacles to the aftermath work, which is extremely cold-blooded and inhumane.
In the face of the intransigence of the Taiwan authorities, the mainland has taken positive measures to safeguard its own rights and interests. The fact that mainland coast guard vessels and fishery administration vessels have continuously carried out regular law enforcement and patrol activities in the Xiamen-Jin waters means that the jurisdiction of Taiwan's "Coast Guard" has been withdrawn by the mainland. At the same time, PLA military planes rushed towards the Taiwan Strait, forming a situation of encirclement, declaring the country's sovereignty over Taiwan, and forming a pressurized deterrent to the "** forces."
Regrettably, however, the Taiwan authorities do not seem to have realized the seriousness of the problem. Taiwan media broke the news that the authorities have decided not to formally apologize to the mainland and the families of the victims. This refusal to apologize and compensate is infuriating and disappointing. So, what if the Taiwan side has always refused to apologize and compensate?
There is a view that there are many tools in the toolbox of the mainland's countermeasures. At present, the mainland has given the Taiwan side enough time to reflect and introspect, but the Taiwan side is still stubborn. Therefore, the mainland may take more resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests. For example, the mainland coast guard may expand the scope of regular law enforcement to the waters around the island of Taiwan and take action to enforce sovereignty and governance over Taiwan. At the same time, the mainland may also order the arrest of the perpetrators of the vicious collision and those responsible, so that the perpetrators will pay the due price.
In short, this vicious collision has aroused widespread concern and indignation. The Taiwan authorities' refusal to apologize and compensate people feel disappointed and angry. If the Taiwan side continues to underestimate the attitude and determination of misjudging the mainland, it will certainly pay an even more unbearable price. We call on the Taiwan authorities to have a clear understanding of the situation as soon as possible, resolve the issue in an honest and responsible manner, and maintain peace and stability.