The law enforcement patrols conducted by the mainland's coast guard in the waters of the Taiwan Strait are a necessary and legitimate act, aimed at safeguarding order in fishery production, protecting marine resources, and preserving the ecological environment, a spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday.
Chen Binhua, the spokesman, made the remarks at a regular press conference in Beijing in response to a media query concerning the statements made by the Taiwan region's ocean authorities on the law enforcement patrols by the mainland's coast guard.
"Taiwan is part of China, and both sides of the Strait are Chinese territory. China enjoys sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. Law enforcement patrols by the mainland coast guard in relevant waters are legitimate and justified, with the purpose of maintaining fishery production order, marine resources, and ecological environment. If the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities dare to provoke and stir up trouble, they must bear all the consequences," said Chen Binhua, the spokesman.
"Waters surrounding Kinmen, Matsu, and related islands have long been traditional fishing grounds for fishermen on both sides of the Strait. The mainland has always attached great importance to protecting fishery resources and the marine ecological environment, actively taking effective measures to promote sustainable development of marine fisheries and preserve the ecology of relevant waters," Chen added.
Mainland's coast guard patrols in Taiwan Strait legitimate, necessary: spokesman
