Overview

• Two Chinese fishermen drowned after their speedboat capsized during a chase by Taiwan's coastguard near the Kinmen archipelago.
• Beijing has strongly condemned the incident, calling for an investigation and accusing Taiwan's coastguard of using 'violent and dangerous methods'.
• The incident comes amid heightened tensions following the election of Taiwan's independence-leaning vice-president, William Lai, as the island's next leader.
• China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has denounced Lai as an 'obstinate separatist', raising concerns over potential conflict.
• Taiwan's coastguard claims the fishing boat was trespassing in Taiwanese waters, while Beijing accuses Taiwan of forcefully inspecting Chinese vessels.