Taiwan Coast Guard intercepts and expels Chinese coast guard ship off Hualien

The Coast Guard Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council publicly confirmed today that Chinese coast guard vessels recently engaged in deliberate actions in the waters off eastern Taiwan, masking the expansion of power under the guise of law enforcement. Faced with a Chinese coast guard vessel approaching and attempting to conduct united front propaganda and probing via radio broadcasts, the Coast Guard Administration immediately deployed the vessel Hualien to take a stern stance and corresponding action. According to the latest developments and monitoring data obtained by the Coast Guard Administration, as of 8:00 a.m. today, the Chinese coast guard vessel, hull number 2503, has sailed away and is currently located approximately 67 nautical miles southeast of Hualien Port. Taiwanese coast guard vessels continue to maintain a high level of vigilance in the surrounding waters, conducting round-the-clock monitoring and responses to ensure that the nation's maritime security and sovereign order are not subjected to illegal infringement.

Reviewing the context of this maritime development, the Chinese coast guard has frequently conducted various forms of routine patrols and probes around Taiwan in recent years. The Coast Guard Administration pointed out that such actions often operate under the banner of maritime law enforcement and maintenance of order, but in reality, they attempt to create new facts on the ground, gradually expand the scope of maritime jurisdiction, and exert political and psychological pressure on Taiwan. In this incident, the Chinese coast guard vessel not only sailed into the waters off eastern Taiwan but also attempted to broadcast united front rhetoric via radio. Such practices clearly carry political propaganda and cognitive warfare implications, intending to test Taiwan's defense will and maritime jurisdictional strength through physical maritime activities combined with public opinion tactics.

Faced with the approach of the Chinese coast guard vessel and its united front broadcasts, the Coast Guard Administration demonstrated a firm and professional response capability. Upon receiving the report, the monitoring vessel Hualien immediately proceeded to the scene in accordance with standard operating procedures, issued a stern rebuttal and broadcast expulsion to the other party via radio, clearly stated Taiwan's position, and refused to accept the other party's illegal claims and united front rhetoric. Under the steadfastness and continuous pressure exerted by the coast guard vessel, the Chinese coast guard ship ultimately chose to sail outward. The Coast Guard Administration emphasized that in the face of any attempt to encroach upon Taiwan's maritime jurisdiction, coast guard personnel always adhere to the principles of non-provocation and non-retreat, guarding the front line to ensure national maritime rights and interests as well as the safety of vessel navigation.

From a broader regional security and geopolitical perspective, the activities of Chinese coast guard vessels in the waters off eastern Taiwan have become a microcosm of the tension in the Indo-Pacific maritime situation. The waters off eastern Taiwan have always served as an important strategic passage connecting the western Pacific and a vital barrier for Taiwan's maritime defense security. Through similar pseudo-law enforcement actions, the Chinese coast guard attempts to extend its enforcement scope to the waters surrounding the main island of Taiwan. This gray-zone operation method not only poses a direct security challenge to Taiwan but also introduces potential instability factors to the freedom of navigation and international legal order of other countries in the region. The international community and regional security observers have maintained a high level of concern regarding such maritime power expansion, believing that it could undermine the existing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in surrounding waters.

Following the incident, the Coast Guard Administration reiterated that it will continue to utilize radar, monitoring and reconnaissance systems, and maritime patrol vessels to closely monitor all targets in the waters surrounding Taiwan. Facing the unpredictable maritime situation, coast guard units not only need to possess a high degree of contingency response capability, but must also maintain close lateral communication and intelligence sharing with the Ministry of National Defense and other relevant ministries to build a comprehensive maritime defense system. As a maritime nation, maintaining maritime security and ensuring maritime order are responsibilities the government cannot shirk. The Coast Guard Administration urged the public to rest assured, stating that all coast guard personnel will uphold a professional and courageous attitude to continue safeguarding the blue territory and will never allow any illegal harassment to compromise national interests.

(Source: Central News Agency)