Regarding the media reports today (21st) that the Chinese research vessel “Tongji Number” was spotted in the waters near Little Liuqiu, suspected of conducting maritime reconnaissance, the Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council Coast Guard Administration stated that coast guard vessels monitored the vessel throughout and broadcasted to drive it away.
According to Taiwan’s Liberty Times, the Chinese 2,000-ton smart scientific research vessel “Tongji Number” was recorded to be present in the waters west of Little Liuqiu. This area is considered a strategically important zone for submarine ambushes as it is adjacent to the Gao Pingxi Estuary and the Navy’s Zuyi Naval Base, causing significant concern due to its unusual activities.
The Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council Coast Guard Administration mentioned that at 11:33 pm on the 20th, the Chinese research vessel “Tongji Number” was located 24.9 nautical miles northwest of Hua Island in Penghu (outside the restricted waters by 0.3 nautical miles) and was sailing southwest without deploying or towing any instruments.
The Taiwan Coast Guard immediately dispatched the “Lianjiang Ship” for response. At 11:40 pm, the Chinese research vessel “Tongji Number” was 24 nautical miles northwest of Hua Island, and the “Lianjiang Ship” skillfully maneuvered to continue sailing parallel and pressuring the Chinese research vessel’s course, forcefully broadcasting to drive it out of Taiwanese waters.
The Coast Guard Administration stated that at 10:15 am today, the Chinese research vessel “Tongji Number” was 28 nautical miles southwest of Little Liuqiu (outside the restricted waters by 2 nautical miles) and was sailing southeast at a speed of 10 knots with a course of 137.
Emphasizing the continuous use of joint intelligence surveillance methods, the Coast Guard Administration closely monitors the movements of Chinese ships in the waters surrounding Taiwan and proactively deploys coast guard vessels to defend national sovereignty and ensure the security of the waters of the Republic of China.