"When the ban will be lifted depends solely on Taiwan authorities' sincerity and determination to take concrete and effective measures to protect the lawful rights of mainland fishermen," said Diao Chunhe, chairman of the Coordination Commission on Cross-Straits Fishermen's Services Cooperation, Monday at a press conference.

He urged Taiwan to set up a corresponding non-governmental organization to seek solutions for existing problems in cross-Straits fishermen's services cooperation.

He said one mainland fisherman on the Yuansheng "floating slum," which caught fire on July 9, was still missing.

A total of 128 mainland fishermen were on the boat when the fire broke out and 127 of them have survived, 10 of whom were injured.

The chairman said that so far as he knew, the majority of these frightened mainland fishermen were sent out fishing only one day after the fire had taken place.

He said the commission is greatly worried about the safety of mainland fishermen working for Taiwan fisheries, estimated to number about 20,000, who are still living in "floating slums."

"The accident makes clear again Taiwan's failure to protect mainland fishermen's lawful rights," said Diao.

He said Taiwan authorities are responsible for the accident, because mainland fishermen are forbidden to land on the island and can only live in boats, the so-called "floating slums," which are not fit for living at all.

Diao expressed his indignation at such discrimination against mainland fishermen.

"The rights of mainland fishermen are sacrificed for some people's political interest in the island. Such behavior shows no respect for human life and tramples on human rights," he said.

"Cross-Straits fishermen's services cooperation is mutually beneficial, but the mainland will not allow its fishermen's rights to be infringed upon," he said.

The mainland stopped exporting fishermen's services to Taiwan last December, when authorities saw that these fishermen's security could not be ensured on the island.

Diao also demanded that Taiwan authorities allow the commission to send delegations to visit and talk with mainland fishermen who are living on these "floating slums."

"This is our duty and right and Taiwan authorities shouldn't set up barriers for us to visit our fishermen," he said.

Diao said the commission had asked to visit the mainland fishermen on the vessel Yuansheng immediately after the fire but were unable to do so due to hindrance from Taiwan authorities.

Taiwan said the commission must first make a written promise that the mainland will immediately lift the ban on the provision of fishermen's service.

(China Daily July 30, 2002)