The Fujian provincial authorities in east China has urged Taiwan to release as soon as possible the four fishermen captured by a Taiwan patrol on Friday, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of Fujian.

One fishing boat with four fishermen was captured in waters near Lesser Kinmen in the early hours of Friday, according to a statement from the Taiwan Affairs Office of Fujian.

The fishermen were fishing in the traditionally shared fishing area between the mainland and Taiwan, and the Fujian side showed hospitality to Taiwan fishermen who fished in this area by providing water, supplies and other assistance in the past, said the statement.

Further, the statement called for the Taiwan side to treat the injured fishermen and release them as soon as possible.