On August 20, 2026, following the intrusion of two Chinese coast guard ships into Taiwan’s Dongsha restricted waters during the conclusion of Taiwan’s “Han Kuang” military drills on the 18th, on the 19th, four more Chinese coast guard ships intruded into Kinmen, only to be forcefully expelled by Taiwan’s Coast Guard patrol vessels.
The Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Coast Guard Administration issued a press release stating that on the afternoon of the 19th, the 12th patrol zone detected four Chinese coast guard ships, with identifying numbers “14609,” “14531,” “14608,” and “14530,” approaching the restricted waters off Kinmen. The Coast Guard immediately dispatched patrol boats to deploy for vigilance.
According to the Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Coast Guard Administration, in the afternoon of the 19th, Chinese coast guard ships from the east of Laiyu and the south of Lier Island formed two columns and sailed into the restricted waters. The Coast Guard vessels promptly conducted one-on-one monitoring and broadcasted warnings in both Chinese and English to pressure them to leave. All Chinese coast guard ships departed the waters off Kinmen at 5:03 pm.
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration pointed out that after the end of China’s fishing moratorium, Chinese fishing vessels have been venturing out in large numbers, exerting tremendous pressure on the order of the surrounding maritime areas of neighboring countries. There have been frequent incidents of illegal fishing and fishing disputes with vessels from other countries. The Coast Guard Administration urged China to enhance the management of its fishing vessels to prevent illegal operations and infringements on the maritime rights of neighboring countries.
The Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Coast Guard Administration stated that in response to the situation in the waters off Kinmen, they have recently conducted robust patrol duties, driving away Chinese fishing vessels that crossed into Taiwanese waters, effectively controlling the maritime order off Kinmen. In the face of China’s attempts to disrupt the status quo and spread false or misleading information through gray zone activities, the Coast Guard Administration will continue to monitor with a firm and professional attitude, appropriately deal with and expel all Chinese government vessels attempting to challenge Taiwan’s maritime sovereignty, safeguarding Taiwan’s maritime sovereignty and fishing resources.
On the 18th, the ROC Ocean Affairs Council’s Coast Guard Administration stated that the Dongsha Command of the Southeast Sandbanks Detachment detected Chinese coast guard ships “3303” and “3107” located outside the Dongsha restricted waters of the Republic of China at 7:00 am. Based on their trajectory, it was deemed that they had intentions to intrude into the Dongsha restricted waters. The Coast Guard vessel “Yunlin” promptly conducted monitoring and broadcasted warnings to forcefully expel and protect Dongsha.