Taiwan Coast Guard May Open Fire if Japan Arrests Fishermen

From NetEase:

Taiwan Coast Guard: If Japan arrests fishermen, Taiwanese naval escort ships may open fire

In connection with the recent largest-in-history people’s protest for the protection of the Diaoyu Islands, Taiwan’s “Coast Guard” has dispatched over 10 naval ships in escort, including 100 ton, 500 ton, 1000 ton, and 2000 ton warships as well as established an emergency contingency center and command headquarters, to protect the fishing vessels.

With regards to the people protesting for the protection of the Diaoyu Islands, Taiwanese authorities have also given approval and support. Ma Ying-jeou expressed on the 24th that Taiwanese fishermen have been catching fish in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands for hundreds of years but now often suffer interference from Japan’s Coast Guard, which makes the fishermen extremely angry. He said, “If this problem can’t be resolved, it may also be very difficult to sit down and discuss other issues”. The Ma Administration emphasized on the 24th that the Yilan fishermen heading towards the waters of the Diaoyu Islands were sailing out on “legal/lawful” fishing operations and that the “Coast Guard” would definitely protect them, also dispatching multiple warships to escort them.

“Coast Guard Director” Wang Jinwang said on the 24th in regards to the Yilan fishermen heading to the Diaoyu Islands waters that officials have already communicated to Japanese officials, informing them that it is to defend the “sovereignty” of the Diaoyu Islands, fishermen spontaneously protecting fishermen, calling on the Japanese side to not interfere or provoke, and that the “Coast Guard” will accompany the fishermen throughout the entire journey.

Wang Jinwang expressed that if Japan attempts to expel and remove, the Taiwanese side will not hesitate to respond. “If they use water cannons, we’ll also use water cannons, handling the situation in accordance with the principle of not evading, not provoking, and not conflicting.” If Taiwan fishermen want to go on the island, a special forces team will also first board the fishing vessel and protect the fishermen, stopping any Japanese ships, absolutely not allowing the Japanese side to arrest Taiwan fishermen. He indicated that if the Japanese side were to arrest any fishermen, the Taiwanese side would not rule out opening fire.

Protecting the fishermen other than the “Coast Guard”, the Taiwanese military will also be on standby to provide support. “Defense Minister” Kao Hua-Chu indicated that protecting the fishermen was the “Coast Guard’s” responsibility, but Taiwan’s navy warships and air force are all awaiting orders, to support the “Coast Guard’s” mission in protecting the fishermen. The navy and air force have already expanded its maritime surveillance area, and the air force also is patrolling its largest reconnaissance area, using its E-2K air early warning aircraft system to monitor the situation.

Kao Hua-Chu emphasized that the Taiwanese Navy’s routine surveillance vessales have already gradually approached the area near the Diaoyu Islands, with the closest point being 123 degrees longitude east, enough to support the Coast Guard department’s fishermen escort operation at any time. Moreover, according to Kao Hua-Chu, Taiwanese naval warships are already close to the “air defense identification line” demarcated by the Japanese.

Comments on NetEase:

神奇小子ST [网易辽宁省锦州市网友]：

And still it’s the National Army~~~

no1tang [网易上海市网友]：

National Army gei li!

wow001016 [网易湖北省襄阳市网友]：

Good job, National Army!

网易辽宁省沈阳市手机网友：

The National Army are true men!

man620 [网易黑龙江省大庆市网友]：

“Let Taiwan return to the motherland’s embrace and let our Taiwan compatriots feel the warmth of the socialist family. We should have friendly and peaceful relations with Japan, and contain Taiwanese independence.”
—–Can you be a little more shameless????!!!!!!

网易广东省江门市蓬江区网友：

I’m suddenly reminded of how in Liang Jian [Drawing Sword] after Zhao Gang rescues the monk and the monk regains consciousness, when he says he wants to fight the little Japanese, he says he has to go back to find the National Army.

硬币会旅行 [网易广东省网友]：

When you guys said the ones who died the most fighting the Japanese was the National Army, I used to harbor a skeptical attitude. My god!!! I now know what to do now.

勇闯寡妇村 [网易广西南宁市网友]：

Taiwan is truly gei li, I like this kind of hardline faction [hawks, hardliners]!

网易天津市手机网友：

Salute in formation the National Army!

穿越楼兰 [网易河南省三门峡市网友]：

So the movies about [the Communists] fighting Japan were all fake! How long do they plan on deceiving us! I ding the National Army!

What do you think? Of the Taiwanese fishermen’s actions? Of the Taiwan government’s actions?