A man traveled on a rubber boat for 13 hours into Taiwan. He states it was for “freedom and Democracy” the idea of a better future made him decide to travel from China to Taiwan. Zhou 33-year-old bought a rubber boat from an online store. He then used it to travel from Quanzhou, Fujian Province in China to Taichung Port in Taiwan. Locals found Zhou who seemed very tired. He was only wearing a thin jacket, shorts, with no shoes. He also had no ID and had on him just 100 Yuan or 480 THB.
Zhou stated he was born and raised in Sichuan but because of the economy he had to move out for work. It was always on his mind that one day there was better life waiting for him. He made a plan and purchased a rubber boat with a motor from an online store for 16,000 Yuan or about 76,000 THB. Zhou then drove to another city where the boat was parked. He then jumped on it and never looked back. He was on the boat for 13 hours when he finally arrived in Taiwan. As he arrived Zhou asked workers on the port, this helped confirm that he truly arrived. When asked why he wanted to escape China, Zhou stated “He wanted freedom and Democracy”.
Coast Guard officials reported that he measured Zhou’s temperature and sent him into a 14-day quarantine. This is according to the safety measures put in place during these times of Covid-19. After he finishes quarantine, the man will have to face prosecution according to the immigration laws of Taiwan. He is facing up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of over 100,000 THB. Taiwanese authorities are investigating how the man managed to cross the Taiwan Strait, especially on a small rubber boat. The Taiwan Strait is reported to be a heavily militarized waterway.
FB Caption: Taiwanese authorities are investigating how the man managed to cross the Taiwan Strait on a small rubber boat.
Source: Khaosod, BBC
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