Following the appearance of a Chinese research vessel in the waters near Xiao Liuqiu, the Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council’s Coast Guard Administration stated that on the 27th, the Chinese research vessel “Xiangyanghong 3” disrupted a port southwest of Kaohsiung Harbor. The Coast Guard vessel was dispatched to monitor the situation and issued warnings through broadcasts. The Chinese research vessel did not enter restricted waters nor deploy any instruments for research activities.
The Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council’s Coast Guard Administration reported that the Chinese oceanographic research vessel “Xiangyanghong 3” appeared at a position 77.6 nautical miles southwest of a port in Kaohsiung at noon on the 27th (46 nautical miles outside the restricted waters). “Xiangyanghong 3” did not deploy any instruments or conduct research activities and sailed southeast. Coast Guard patrol vessels were deployed as a preventive measure.
During the monitoring process, the Coast Guard vessel PP-3559 issued strong warnings through radio broadcasts to the “Xiangyanghong 3” to not enter Taiwanese waters. By 4 p.m., the vessel was located 36.7 nautical miles southwest of Erluanbi, Pingtung (6 nautical miles outside the restricted waters) and continued to sail southeast outside the restricted zone.
The Coast Guard Administration emphasized that the Chinese research vessel “Xiangyanghong 3” did not enter the restricted waters nor deploy any instruments for research activities. They will continue to use joint intelligence monitoring methods to closely monitor the movement of Chinese ships in the surrounding waters and proactively deploy Coast Guard vessels to defend national sovereignty and ensure maritime security.
Previously, the Coast Guard Administration reported that at 11:33 p.m. on the 20th, the Chinese research vessel “Tongji” was located 24.9 nautical miles northwest of Huayu Island in Penghu (0.3 nautical miles outside the restricted waters), sailing southwest without deploying any instruments. Coast Guard vessels monitored the situation and issued warnings.
In addition, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense released information on the activities of Chinese military ships and government vessels in the waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan this morning. As of 6 a.m. today, Taiwan’s military detected 7 Chinese warships and 6 government vessels operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese military is closely monitoring and responding with aircraft, navy vessels, and missile defense systems.