Taipei claims Philippine coastguard opened fire on vessel of Taiwanese national in disputed waters in South China Sea
Taiwan has demanded that the Philippines investigate the fatal shooting of a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei on Friday, the Taiwanese foreign minister, David Lin, blamed the Philippine coastguard for opening fire on the fisherman's boat, the Kuang Ta Hsing 28, on Thursday in disputed waters, an incident that threatens to raise tensions between China and an important American ally.
"We strongly condemn the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine fishery department," Lin said. "We urge the Philippine government to open a full investigation on this case and send their apology to Taiwan's government."
Even before Lin spoke, the Chinese foreign ministry had expressed its dismay over the incident.
A spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, called it a "brutal act" and echoed Taiwan's demand that Manila investigate.
"We are expressing our deep grief on the death of the Taiwan compatriot and condolences to the victim's family," she said.
Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949 and Beijing continues to claim the democratic island as part of its territory. In recent months it has made repeated attempts to bring Taiwan on to its side in its maritime disputes with Japan and other countries in the region. Taiwan has so far resisted, reflecting its own claims of national sovereignty.
In Manila, the Philippine coastguard said it would hold a news conference to discuss the Taiwanese fisherman's death. There was no other government reaction, except for a navy statement denying involvement in the incident.
Relations between the Philippines and China, already soured by tensions over the Spratly Islands, deteriorated sharply last year when Chinese maritime vessels took control of a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.