Fishing trip mishap or grey-zone test? Taiwan arrests men after boat slips past defences

Mainland Chinese men in rubber dinghy dismissed as ‘sea clutter’ by coastguard radar operator, raising fresh concerns over island’s security

The case only came to light on Monday after an angler reported finding an abandoned inflatable boat on July 24 at Bali Beach near the Port of Taipei, around 20km (12 miles) from the island’s political centre.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) confirmed the case on Tuesday, saying it had immediately launched an investigation after receiving the report. It reviewed coastal surveillance footage and maritime monitoring data before arresting the two suspects at a park in Taoyuan on July 30.

They were later transferred to the Taiwan Shilin District Prosecutors Office, which ordered them detained incommunicado pending further investigation.