After months of negotiation, Taiwan and China reached an agreement on Tuesday regarding the death of two Chinese fisherman in a maritime accident. This could help to ease tensions along the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's Coast Guard said that a settlement was reached with the families of fishermen who were killed while trying to escape after their boat had entered forbidden waters.

Hsieh Chin-chin, Deputy director-general of Taiwan Coast Guard Administration in Kinmen told reporters that the negotiations today had resulted in an agreement thanks to the efforts both sides have made.

He said that there was a "good atmosphere" in the room. Hsieh made his comments live.

China has claimed democratically-governed Taiwan, despite the strong opposition of Taiwan, as its territory. In recent years it has increased military activities in close proximity to Taiwan, including almost daily incursions within air defence identification zone.

China's Coast Guard began patrolling the Taiwan controlled Kinmen Islands near its coast in February after two Chinese fishermen were killed.

Taiwanese coast guard boats have repeatedly violated Taiwan's territorial waters. In recent months, Taiwanese forces drove them away. China is accused of using tactics called "grey zones" that are not combative, to pressure and test Taiwanese troops. This includes regular patrols around Kinmen.

Chinese officials raided a Taiwanese boat that was fishing near China during the no-fishing season and seized it. They then took it into a Chinese harbor, escalating tensions. Reporting by Yimou Kao and Jeanny Lee; Editing by Miral Fakhmy

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