Taiwan and China spar over capsizing, inspections near Kinmen islands

TAIPEI -- Fears of a maritime incident that could trigger a serious escalation of tensions are growing after two Chinese people died when their speedboat capsized last week in Taiwanese waters.

This week, Chinese coastal patrol boats operated in waters off the coast of the Kinmen archipelago -- Taiwanese territory located just a few kilometers from China -- and boarded a Taiwanese tour boat for inspection. The Taiwanese government said the boarding caused a "panic."