The Taiwan government on Thursday defended its coastguard’s actions after two Chinese fishermen died in a speedboat crash near the Kinmen Islands.

A Chinese speedboat on Wednesday illegally entered Taiwanese waters and capsized near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen Islands as it was being chased by Taiwan Coast Guard personnel, according to Taipei.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, the top body responsible for China affairs, on Thursday said that the coast guard officers lawfully performed their duties and their actions were not improper.

“During the enforcement process, the Chinese ship capsized due to its refusal to be inspected,’’ the MAC said in a statement which it said was based on a preliminary investigation.

The council said that four Chinese people fell into the sea. Two of them were rescued by Taiwan’s coastguard personnel and later died in hospital.

On Wednesday, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office strongly condemned the case, demanding an investigation and assistance to the families of the victims.

In Taipei, MAC Minister Chiu Tai-san told reporters on Thursday that China would soon be given the results of the investigation.

According to the MAC, over the years some Chinese residents have come into Taiwan waters and engaged in various illegal actions such as exploding fish, poisoning fish and pumping sand.

“We deeply regret that the Chinese crew refused to cooperate with our law enforcement work,’’ the council said, urging the Chinese authorities to act to prevent residents from engaging in such actions. (dpa/NAN)