Chinese man crosses Taiwan Strait in inflatable boat: yearning for freedom and democracy
![inflatable boat](https://i0.wp.com/taiwanenglishnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/inflatable.jpg?resize=800%2C445&ssl=1)
A man was arrested at Taichung Harbor yesterday after crossing the Taiwan Strait from Fujian Province, China in an outboard-motor-powered inflatable boat.
Coast Guard officers and harbor police were alerted to the man’s arrival at the Taichung Harbor West Warf at around 2:00 am yesterday.
The 33-year-old man named Zhou said that he is from Sichuan Province and had purchased the boat and motor on Huabao.com for RMB16,000. He also purchased four fuel containers with a capacity of 125 liters. Zhou departed from Shishi City, Fujian Province April 30, and had experienced a smooth journey. Zhou said that he had navigated the 180 kilometer trip using his mobile phone compass.
Lightly dressed, tired, and hungry, workers at the port immediately supplied him with a jacket and some food while waiting for the Coast Guard to arrive.
Zhou said that he had not committed any crimes, and was not a wanted criminal, but had made the dangerous journey because he yearned for freedom and democracy.
Zhou was taken to a detention center for quarantine and will face charges for breaching Article 74 of the Immigration Act.
![Chinese man at West Warf, Taichung Harbor](https://i0.wp.com/taiwanenglishnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/zhou.jpg?resize=660%2C880&ssl=1)
Taiwan English News is an independent publication with no corporate funding. If you found this article informative, and would like to support my work, please buy me a coffee or support me on Patreon. Subscribe to Taiwan English News for free to receive the latest news via email. Advertising queries are welcome. Share, like, comment below.