Coast guard patrols near Jinmen are 'lawful and justified'

The Fujian Coast Guard patrols near Jinmen are lawful and justified, mainland spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The Fujian Coast Guard conducted a law enforcement patrol in waters near Jinmen on Tuesday.

Zhu Anqing, spokesperson for the China Coast Guard's East China Sea branch, said the patrols included measures such as formation navigation, identification and verification checks, as well as hailing and radio warnings, in order to strengthen control and management of key waters. All tasks were completed, he said.

"The China Coast Guard will resolutely safeguard law and order in waters under its jurisdiction and protect the lives and property of fishermen," Zhu said.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Matsu are all parts of China and the law enforcement patrols carried out by the mainland's coast guard in the relevant waters are reasonable and lawful.

Chen added that the patrols help maintain order in maritime operations and safeguard the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

"We firmly support this," he said.