Recently, the maritime conditions surrounding Kinmen have been increasingly deteriorated due to the strengthening influence of the Northeast Monsoon. This morning, four Chinese Coast Guard vessels intruded into the restricted waters near Kinmen, prompting a response from the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA). The CGA deployed patrol boats for monitoring and to prevent any unauthorized access to these waters.
In an official statement, the Kinmen-Matsu Defense Command of the Coast Guard Administration reported that around 9:00 AM today, they detected a formation of four Chinese Coast Guard ships—designated as “14604,” “14530,” “14608,” and “14531”—approaching the restricted zones off the coast of Kinmen.
In reaction to this incursion, the CGA swiftly dispatched patrol vessels to engage in a “one-on-one” monitoring approach to discourage the Chinese vessels from proceeding further. The CGA continuously broadcast warnings in both Chinese and English, urging the Chinese Coast Guard ships to depart from the restricted waters. By 11:13 AM, the Chinese vessels had vacated the Kinmen restricted area.
The CGA expressed concern regarding the Chinese vessels’ coordinated intrusion under adverse marine conditions, highlighting that such actions pose significant risks to the safety of passing ships. They reiterated their call for the Chinese side to cease similar harassment activities, stressing that the use of “pretend law enforcement” to expand power undermines regional peace and stability.
The Coast Guard Administration affirmed its commitment to closely monitoring the dynamics in the maritime area while adhering to the principles of “non-provocation and non-retreat.” They remain determined to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure the safety and order of the waters surrounding Kinmen.