The motives of two Chinese nationals suspected of illegally entering Taiwan by rubber boat remain under investigation by prosecutors, Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said Thursday, August 13.

Speaking at a routine press conference in Taipei, Liang said the Coast Guard had conducted an initial interrogation before referring the case to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office.

“Exactly what the motives and intentions of the two men were in coming to Taiwan is currently under investigation by prosecutors,” he said.

The Coast Guard said Tuesday that the two suspects had been ordered detained and held incommunicado by a court.

Authorities began investigating after a member of the public reported finding a rubber boat near Taipei Port on July 24. The Coast Guard said the two suspects were traced using surveillance footage and arrested on July 30. DNA testing found that biological traces collected from the boat matched the two men.

The case follows similar incidents in recent years, including a former Chinese navy captain who drove a speedboat into the Tamsui River in June 2024 and a Chinese man who reached New Taipei’s Linkou District by rubber boat in September that year.