There are no so-called "prohibited or restricted waters" in the sea area between Xiamen and Jinmen, an island administered by Taiwan, a spokesperson of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Saturday.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that Taiwan and the islands of Penghu, Jinmen, and Matsu are parts of China. Waters between Jinmen and Fujian province's Xiamen have long been shared fishing grounds for fishermen from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
He added that the routine patrols by the Chinese mainland coast guard are crucial for maintaining maritime order and ensuring the safety of fishermen from both sides. He called on the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan to acknowledge the historical and factual realities of these shared fishing areas and to stop unjustified detentions and aggressive actions against fishermen from the Chinese mainland.
Chen warned that the DPP authorities would bear full responsibility for any consequences if such actions were to continue.
