Mainland says fishery survey in Taiwan's eastern waters 'justified and legitimate'

BEIJING -- The mainland's fishery resource survey in waters east of the island of Taiwan is "fully justified and legitimate," a mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to claims by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan that the survey was a deliberate attempt to assert jurisdiction. The DPP authorities have also used the survey to urge support for relevant maritime patrol and defense budgets.

The survey, conducted from July 17 to 23 by a vessel of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, was designed to comprehensively assess the fishery resources in waters under China's jurisdiction and provide a scientific basis for the sustainable development of marine fisheries, said Chen.

"It is a normal scientific endeavor that benefits both sides of the Strait," he added.

The spokesman dismissed the DPP authorities' criticism as unwarranted, describing the push for a larger maritime force budget as "political manipulation" aimed at stoking cross-Strait antagonism and confrontation.