The mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) demanded the speedy release of 41 fishermen held in custody by Taiwan, according to a mainland spokesman on Wednesday.
An Fengshan, of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference that ARATS immediately activated its emergency communication system with the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) upon learning that 41 mainland fishermen were taken into custody while fishing in Dongsha.
ARATS demanded that the incident be handled properly to ensure the safety of fishermen and their property.
