Taiwan says China’s coast guard has detained a Taiwanese fishing vessel and demands its release

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan says that China’s coast guard has boarded a Taiwanese fishing boat and steered it to a port in mainland China. Taiwan is demanding that Beijing release the vessel. Taiwanese maritime authorities said in a press statement that the Tachinman 88 was intercepted by two Chinese vessels Tuesday evening. The statement says Taiwan dispatched three vessels to rescue the Tachinman 88, but the one that got close to the fishing boat were blocked by three Chinese boats and told not to interfere. The pursuit was called off to avoid escalating the conflict.