Mainland China says it is still holding former Taiwanese soldier who was picked up while fishing
- The man was detained by the coastguard in March after his fishing boat lost power off the coast of Fujian province
The mainland Chinese authorities have said they are still holding a former Taiwanese soldier who was picked up by the coastguard three months ago.
The man, identified only by his surname Hu, was in good health and had been allowed to see family members on Sunday, Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office, said.
She also accused Taipei of being “maliciously misleading” for claiming that the mainland authorities were detaining more former soldiers or police officers in a possible attempt to recruit intelligence sources.
“As long as Taiwan compatriots do not engage in illegal or criminal activities, they do not have to be worried when travelling to the mainland,” Zhu said.
Hu, 25, and another man surnamed Wu, were rescued by the mainland coastguard in March after their small fishing boat lost power in Weitou Bay, a stretch of water that separates the Taiwanese-controlled island of Quemoy, also known as Kinmen, and the mainland province of Fujian.
03:11
Mainland China launches PLA blockade around Taiwan, 3 days after William Lai speech
