Chinese Coast Guard Claims Rescue of 'Chinese Taiwan Fishing Boat', Coast Guard Administration Refutes
Taiwan's Coast Guard refuted China's claim of rescuing a burning Taiwanese fishing boat near Diaoyutai, stating another Taiwanese boat actually saved the crew, and criticized China's political manipulation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 11:39
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 12:01 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 21:31 (9h 29m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Taipei, 18th, Comprehensive Report) The Keelung-registered fishing boat "Chuan Yu 6" caught fire and sank in the waters northeast of Diaoyutai on the 16th. The Chinese Coast Guard claimed to have conducted "firefighting and search and rescue" operations for a "Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat." In fact, the 6 crew members were rescued by another Taiwanese fishing boat. Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) stated that maritime humanitarian rescue knows no borders, and China should not use maritime accidents for political manipulation to infringe on Taiwan's sovereignty.
"Chuan Yu 6" departed from Badouzi Fishing Port at 3:35 PM on the 12th, carrying a 62-year-old Taiwanese captain surnamed Chang and 6 Filipino crew members. At around 5 AM on the 16th, the CGA received a report that "Chuan Yu 6" had caught fire about 77 nautical miles northeast of Diaoyutai, within Japan's search and rescue responsibility zone.
The CGA issued a press release on the 16th stating that the 6 foreign crew members on the "Chuan Yu 6" were promptly rescued by the "Chuan Yu 36," a fishing boat operating nearby, and are all unharmed. However, Captain Chang remains missing. After receiving the report, the CGA immediately activated emergency response mechanisms and dispatched the Taoyuan cutter from the Northern Sector Mobile Patrol Office for an emergency mission.
The Taoyuan cutter arrived at the incident area, about 131 nautical miles northeast of Pengjia Islet, at around 11 PM on the 16th. Due to poor sea conditions, the 6 rescued crew members temporarily stayed on the "Chuan Yu 36," while the Taoyuan cutter made every effort to search for the missing Captain Chang.
However, on the evening of the 17th, the Chinese Coast Guard announced an "emergency rescue of a Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat in Diaoyu Island waters," claiming that a "Chinese Taiwan-registered" fishing boat caught fire about 76 nautical miles northeast of Huangwei Islet (Kuba Island) in the Diaoyutai area on the 16th, with 7 crew members on board.
The Chinese Coast Guard stated, "Following the incident, Chinese Coast Guard vessels on patrol missions rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire and launch search and rescue operations. So far, 6 people have been rescued, and related rescue work is ongoing." The Chinese Coast Guard Bureau released 4 photos showing them assisting in extinguishing the fire on the fishing boat.
The CGA issued a press release on the 18th, stating that the Chinese Coast Guard is infringing on Taiwan's sovereignty, carrying out political manipulation and cognitive warfare. The 6 foreign crew members on the "Chuan Yu 6" were rescued by the nearby Taiwanese fishing boat "Chuan Yu 36." Upon receiving the report, the CGA immediately dispatched the Taoyuan cutter to the scene for search and rescue, coordinated with the Japan Coast Guard to send patrol aircraft and ships to assist, and later sent the "Yilan cutter" to join the rescue. Currently, they are continuing to fully search for the missing Captain Chang alongside the Japanese side at the scene.
Regarding China's deliberate use of politically manipulated terms like "Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat," the CGA stated that maritime humanitarian rescue knows no borders and is a universally recognized value. The CGA has also risked its own safety multiple times to rescue Chinese fishing boats. China should not use maritime accidents for political manipulation or use "Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat" to infringe upon Taiwan's sovereignty.
The CGA stated that the search for the missing captain is ongoing, and they will not give up any hope. They will continue to invest in search and rescue operations, hoping to rescue the captain as soon as possible.
(CNA, Taipei, 18th, Comprehensive Report) The Keelung-registered fishing boat "Chuan Yu 6" caught fire and sank in the waters northeast of Diaoyutai on the 16th. The Chinese Coast Guard claimed to have conducted "firefighting and search and rescue" operations for a "Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat." In fact, the 6 crew members were rescued by another Taiwanese fishing boat. Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) stated that maritime humanitarian rescue knows no borders, and China should not use maritime accidents for political manipulation to infringe on Taiwan's sovereignty.
"Chuan Yu 6" departed from Badouzi Fishing Port at 3:35 PM on the 12th, carrying a 62-year-old Taiwanese captain surnamed Chang and 6 Filipino crew members. At around 5 AM on the 16th, the CGA received a report that "Chuan Yu 6" had caught fire about 77 nautical miles northeast of Diaoyutai, within Japan's search and rescue responsibility zone.
The CGA issued a press release on the 16th stating that the 6 foreign crew members on the "Chuan Yu 6" were promptly rescued by the "Chuan Yu 36," a fishing boat operating nearby, and are all unharmed. However, Captain Chang remains missing. After receiving the report, the CGA immediately activated emergency response mechanisms and dispatched the Taoyuan cutter from the Northern Sector Mobile Patrol Office for an emergency mission.
The Taoyuan cutter arrived at the incident area, about 131 nautical miles northeast of Pengjia Islet, at around 11 PM on the 16th. Due to poor sea conditions, the 6 rescued crew members temporarily stayed on the "Chuan Yu 36," while the Taoyuan cutter made every effort to search for the missing Captain Chang.
However, on the evening of the 17th, the Chinese Coast Guard announced an "emergency rescue of a Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat in Diaoyu Island waters," claiming that a "Chinese Taiwan-registered" fishing boat caught fire about 76 nautical miles northeast of Huangwei Islet (Kuba Island) in the Diaoyutai area on the 16th, with 7 crew members on board.
The Chinese Coast Guard stated, "Following the incident, Chinese Coast Guard vessels on patrol missions rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire and launch search and rescue operations. So far, 6 people have been rescued, and related rescue work is ongoing." The Chinese Coast Guard Bureau released 4 photos showing them assisting in extinguishing the fire on the fishing boat.
The CGA issued a press release on the 18th, stating that the Chinese Coast Guard is infringing on Taiwan's sovereignty, carrying out political manipulation and cognitive warfare. The 6 foreign crew members on the "Chuan Yu 6" were rescued by the nearby Taiwanese fishing boat "Chuan Yu 36." Upon receiving the report, the CGA immediately dispatched the Taoyuan cutter to the scene for search and rescue, coordinated with the Japan Coast Guard to send patrol aircraft and ships to assist, and later sent the "Yilan cutter" to join the rescue. Currently, they are continuing to fully search for the missing Captain Chang alongside the Japanese side at the scene.
Regarding China's deliberate use of politically manipulated terms like "Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat," the CGA stated that maritime humanitarian rescue knows no borders and is a universally recognized value. The CGA has also risked its own safety multiple times to rescue Chinese fishing boats. China should not use maritime accidents for political manipulation or use "Chinese Taiwan-registered fishing boat" to infringe upon Taiwan's sovereignty.
The CGA stated that the search for the missing captain is ongoing, and they will not give up any hope. They will continue to invest in search and rescue operations, hoping to rescue the captain as soon as possible.