The Chinese mainland has expressed strong indignation about the armed attack by Taiwan's marine forces against mainland fishermen at sea on Wednesday, which left two crew members wounded.

In a document to the Taiwan-based People's Service Center Across Taiwan Straits, the mainland-based Associations for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits said a fishing vessel from the coastal province of Fujian was chased and shot by a marine patrol boat operating around Mazu Island at about 11 am (Beijing Time) Wednesday, when it was fishing using a tow net in the area.

Far from Taiwan Island itself, Mazu Island near Fujian Province is under the control of Taiwan authorities.

Citing a report from Fujian Province, the association said two crew members of Minlian fishing vessel No. 2336 were shot in the leg while the vessel sustained 11 shots in the left side of the cabin and the vessel.

The party concerned on the Chinese mainland is "very indignant" about the shooting, and has demanded the related party in Taiwan respect and protect the rights of mainland fishermen, and punish the perpetrators, according to the document.

The Taiwan-based center was also urged to convey the message to those concerned in Taiwan that the act of harming mainland fishermen and their property must be stopped, and the perpetrators must be dealt with seriously.

The losses of the wounded fishermen must be compensated and the party concerned must ensure such an incident will not happen again, according to the document.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2003)