Chinese mainland warns against violence toward fishermen

Taiwan should stop its "rude and dangerous way" of treating fishermen from the Chinese mainland, said An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Wednesday.

An made the remarks at a press briefing, noting that Taiwan should instead ensure the safety and property of the fishermen from the Chinese mainland.

He was referring to the seizing of a fishing boat from south China's Guangdong Province by a Taiwan patrol in waters near Penghu County in southeast Taiwan Saturday morning.

Two fishermen were injured by rubber bullets fired from the patrol boat, and required hospital treatment, while the other five were detained.

An reiterated his request that Taiwan should correctly handle the situation, release the fishermen as soon as possible and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The Chinese mainland has provided facilities to safeguard fishermen from both sides of the strait and given aid and supplies to fishermen from Taiwan, he added. Endi