The Fujian Coast Guard organizes a flotilla and conducts a law enforcement patrol in waters near Kinmen on February 25, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the China Coast Guard

The Chinese mainland's maritime law enforcement authorities on Sunday conducted more patrols in waters near Kinmen in a move to safeguard the safety of fishermen's lives and property, after Taiwan authorities brutally assaulted a mainland fishing boat in the region earlier this month which led to the death of two crew members.

The combined effect of the fatal incident and continued "Taiwan independence" activities by the secessionist Taiwan authorities will see such patrols become routine, experts said.

The coast guard of East China's Fujian Province on Sunday organized a flotilla and conducted a law enforcement patrol in waters near Kinmen, the China Coast Guard (CCG) said in a press release on Sunday.

During the patrol, the coast guard vessels took measures including maneuvering-in-formation, identification and verification, providing escorts to fishing vessels, as well as verbal warnings, strengthened law enforcement patrols in key waters, effectively safeguarded working order in related regions and pragmatically safeguarded the safety of fishermen's lives and property, the CCG said.

According to photos attached to the CCG press release, mainland cutters sailed close to boats from the island of Taiwan, with Kinmen island in visual range.

The Fujian Coast Guard on Sunday conducted a comprehensive law enforcement exercise in waters between Xiamen and Kinmen, testing law enforcement vessels' instant reaction and emergency response capabilities, the CCG announced later on the same day.

It marked the second time that the CCG has made an announcement disclosing law enforcement patrols in the region, coming after CCG spokesperson Gan Yu's statement on February 18 that Fujian coast guard would strengthen maritime law enforcement and conduct regular law enforcement patrols in waters between Fujian's Xiamen and Kinmen.

Fujian's maritime and fisheries law enforcement authority on Sunday also sent two vessels for a law enforcement patrol in waters between Xiamen and Kinmen, according to a notice released on Sunday on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Such regular law enforcement activities will be further enhanced based on needs, the notice said.

The enhanced law enforcement patrols by the Chinese mainland authorities were triggered by a fatal incident on February 14 in which a Chinese mainland fishing boat was brutally assaulted by Taiwan authorities in waters near Taiwan authorities-administered Kinmen Island. All four people on board fell into the sea, of which two died.

It also came at a time after separatist Lai Ching-te just won Taiwan's regional leader election as well as continued "Taiwan independence" activities by Taiwan authorities, observers said.

Just as the announcements had said, the mainland's law enforcement forces will now regularly conduct patrols in the region, a Chinese mainland expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday.

Even before the latest incident that caused deaths of mainland fishermen, Taiwan authorities frequently harassed mainland fishing boats, but the mainland showed goodwill and provided many benefits to Taiwan compatriots, the expert said.

But this goodwill has gone to waste, and the Taiwan authorities insist on separatist activities, forcing the mainland to take forceful measures, on the one hand, safeguard mainland's normal fishing activities, and on the other hand, deter "Taiwan independence" forces, the expert said.

The Fujian Coast Guard organizes a flotilla and conducts a law enforcement patrol in waters near Kinmen on February 25, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the China Coast Guard

The Fujian Coast Guard organizes a flotilla and conducts a law enforcement patrol in waters near Kinmen on February 25, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the China Coast Guard