(Adnkronos) – A ‘bounty’ on “illegal activities” at sea around Taiwan. The island’s Coast Guard announces rewards for those who report in particular the presence of naval units of the Chinese military. A new move that comes in a context of continuous tensions with China which maintains military pressure on the island, de facto independent, but considered by the People’s Republic to be a “rebel province” to be “reunified”.
“The Coast Guard’s resources are limited, but the power of the people at sea is unlimited,” reads the announcement of the new measures with an invitation, addressed primarily to fishermen, to “remain vigilant in the face of anomalous maritime activities.” The appeal is to help counter “maritime threats”, the typical ambiguity of ‘grey zone’ tactics.
Those who report cases of murder, acts of piracy, arson and kidnapping are promised a sum equal to around 5,786 euros. For ‘tips’ on “clandestine passengers” the reward is around 1,446 euros. Verified news passed to the Coast Guard regarding foreign military ships is ‘worth’ just under 87 euros. Almost daily, the Taipei Defense Ministry reports the presence of Chinese military ships in the waters around Taiwan, as well as raids by jets and drones.
