Taiwan looks to plug border holes after 2 landings by mainland Chinese men in small boats
Lawmakers point to serious cross-strait security lapses, after neither breach was spotted by Taiwanese authorities until the men were held
Lawmakers have pointed to the two incidents – neither spotted by Taipei until the men turned themselves in – as representing possible weaknesses in the event of a military attack from the mainland.
According to the Taiwanese coastguard, boats managed to sail managed to sail undetected into waters near the capital Taipei.
One of the mainland men on board claimed he had a military background and the other said he was a member of the Communist Party.
The 30-year-old self-proclaimed party member, identified by his surname Wang, was arrested by the Taiwanese coastguard after calling the island’s emergency hotline on September 14 as his inflatable dinghy neared the shore at Linkou, south of Taipei.
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Mainland Chinese man claiming to be ex-navy captain breaches Taiwan defences in speedboat
Coastguard officials said Wang, who was severely dehydrated, was treated in hospital before being handed over to prosecutors and accused of illegal entry.
