Rising tensions between China and Taiwan: Pressure on Matsu Islands | DW News

For years now, Beijing has been stepping up pressure on the territory it sees at its own. One of its latest tactics in that campaign: dredging up sand around the Taiwan-run Matsu islands. Since 2020, Chinese dredging ships have started operating heavily around the islands, which are just off the shores of mainland China, dropping anchor and scooping up vast amounts of sand from the ocean bed for construction projects. It's a strategy that's testing Taiwan's coast guard, and officials say it's disrupting their local economy and intimidating residents and tourists. The ships are also a problem for local fishermen. DW's Joyce Lee reports from Taiwan.

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[jasonchang]

I went there last summer. You could literally see countless dredging ships surrounding the islands light up the sky at night. Was indeed a bit scary to see.

[JoTinwhay]

Rising tensions? yeah, CCP always rise it. Especially since we Taiwanese said [we persist to protect our democracy, human right & freedom]. All humans should strive for it, & deserve it!

[nathanmerritt]

I'm not really surprised by China's destructive practices. Everywhere they go, its the same story.

[gerg]

China did not respect Taiwan territory. They simply bided their time and built their strength. Please stay safe friends in Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, and anyone else with the misfortune of living near Chinese interests.

[PureVikingPowers]

Chinese overfishing all over the world Africa, the EU, South America & Both the poles we should all be worried & care. Love to Taiwan from Sweden 💗💙🤍 Wish our leaders cared about it's peoples over the money

[kipo]

We (the west) must never allow what's happening to Hong Kong to happen to Taiwan. Hold the line, until the Chinese government learns to respect human rights both at home and abroad.

[dibaskg]

I feel for the Taiwanese. We, Greeks, know perfectly well what it feels like spending your entire life having unscrupulous bullies as neighbors, how draining it is. They have theirs to their west, we to our east(…).

[accent]

There goes Xi saying that those islands are their territory even though they aren't

[SaSha-hbrq]

This is the tactic they do everywhere they go on the sea.

[th]

China to Taiwan: marry me. Taiwan to China: we don't like or trust you

[じゃみっと]

I feel sorry for all of China's neighbours. Terrible predicament to be in. (I'm not Japanese.)

[bambootransistor]

Those sand dredges would make great artificial reefs.

[jenniferschmitzkatze]

China's fleets are in the sea close to the Galapagos Eiland's too .

[ZetaTango]

Since no more fishes, why not line the perimeter with remote naval mines?

[HelloWorld-bouu]

"If they take all those islands, Taiwan is, in effect, independent." Good point from Steve Tsang.

[elikyals]

And the international community and UN? Where are they

[tzu-haokuo]

Like naughty kids' "funny" tricks...As a Taiwanese, I seriously was wondering how many states are still considering to turn Chinese Counterfeit Party a reliable partner

[TubersAndPotatoes]

If they can sink those sand dredging ships, they can become new artificial reefs for fish.

[bringbackmys]

A broad anti-communist chinese coalition is needed once again.

[charleszern]

Sea fishing is an unsustainable work, the fishermen should do fish farming like that in Guangzhou.