The China Post
Date: August 1, 2016
By: The China Post news staff
Fishery authorities said penalties were awaiting the crew of five fishing boats who
Cabinet criticized for postponing new work rules
Kuomintang Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu, third left, and others yesterday drink from bottles containing water obtained by the fishing boats at Taiping Island, in a gesture of support for the fishermen. (CNA)
returned to Taiwan Sunday from a voyage intended to assert sovereignty over Taiping Island in the South China Sea.
The vessels were welcomed by more than 600 people who erupted in applause, set off firecrackers and shouted “true heroes,” as the boats sailed into Yenpu Fishing Port, Pingtung County, at about 10 a.m.
Kuomintang Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu, who was among the crowd, expressed disapproval that the government had threatened to penalize the crew.
The Fisheries Agency (FA) said each of the crew members could be slapped with a fine of up to NT$150,000, and one of the boats, the Hai Chi Li, which carried three reporters from Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV to Taiping Island, could see its license revoked.
The three reporters were reportedly taken to a coast guard depot for questioning after landing at the Yenpu Fishing Port. But the Coast Guard denied that everyone on board the boats was taken in for questioning. [FULL STORY]
