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Army private to return to Matsu

A soldier who fell overboard July 5 en route to Matsu and was later picked up by a Chinese fishing boat is scheduled to return to Matsu today, a legislator said yesterday.

PFP Legislator Tsao Yuan-jhang (曹原彰), who represents Matsu, told reporters by phone that army private Liu Chin-hung (劉晉宏) will return to Matsu via a direct voyage from Mawei Port in Fujian Province.

Tsao, who is now Fujian's capital Fuzhou, said Liu has recovered from the fever, sunburn and body swelling he sustained during three days adrift in the sea.

"He is now in stable condition and will be able to return to Matsu under the `small three links' formula," Tsao said. "To the best of my understanding, Liu will first return to his army unit in Matsu and is not expected to return to Taiwan immediately."

As to how the 21-year-old private fell overboard, Tsao said that is up to the military and other government agencies to investigate. Tsao said he visited Liu in a hospital in Pingtan shortly after his arrival in Fujian July 9, but he would not divulge the content of his talks with Liu.

Liu, a resident of Taipei County's Hsinchuang township, is fulfilling his mandatory military service at an artillery unit on Nankang islet, part of the Matsu island group. He was reported missing July 6 from a ship chartered by the military to provide regular transportation for soldiers serving on Matsu.

Sea and air search efforts were launched by the army, but no trace of Liu was found. On July 8, China reported that a Taiwanese man wearing a life jacket -- later confirmed to be Liu -- had been rescued by a Chinese fishing vessel.

Liu's mysterious disappearance stirred up speculation that it might not have been an accident, especially given the fact that he wearing a life vest and civilian clothes when rescued.

Army spokesman Major General Hsiao Ju-po (蕭如波) said last Tuesday that it was too early to make a judgment. "We don't know the circumstances that led to Liu going overboard. We'll investigate the cause when he comes back," Hsiao said.

If it is proven that Liu jumped overboard, he could be charged with desertion.
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