Taiwan Coast Guard Shadows Chinese Vessels in Restricted Waters

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration reported shadowing four Chinese Coast Guard vessels that intruded into Taiwan-controlled waters near Kinmen County. The intrusion, the first in July and 31st in 2024, resulted in a series of warnings and monitoring actions before the Chinese vessels eventually left.

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) shadowed four Chinese Coast Guard vessels that entered Taiwan-controlled waters near Kinmen County on Thursday, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The CGA stated that the vessels intruded at 7 am local time from four points east and southeast of Liaoluo Bay, south of Zhaishan, and south of Fengzui.

This was the first intrusion in July and the 31st in 2024. Taiwan's CGA dispatched four ships to shadow the intruders and issued warnings, CNA reported. At 9 am local time, the Chinese ships exited the restricted waters but re-entered an hour later, prompting Taiwan's Coast Guard to send out additional vessels.

Chinese vessels exited Taiwan-controlled waters between 12 pm and 1 pm local time. Taiwan's CGA condemned the actions as undermining maritime safety and cross-strait exchanges. The CGA stated its commitment to upholding Taiwan's maritime rights. Earlier in June, a similar incident involved four China Coast Guard vessels monitored by Taiwan's Coast Guard near the Kinmen Islands.

The CGA reported that the Chinese boats entered from east of Beiding Island and south of Fuxing Island, remaining in the area for about two hours. Taiwan's CGA stressed that these actions did not advance regional stability, while the China Coast Guard claimed their actions were legal.

Since February 14, following a collision and capsizing incident involving a Chinese speedboat and Taiwan's patrol vessel, China has frequently sent coast guard vessels into Taiwan-controlled waters, asserting its right to patrol the area, CNA reported.