Recently, a Taiwanese news report has shed light on the incident where a Chinese national, surnamed Ruan, drove a speedboat into the Fisherman’s Wharf on the Tamsui River in Taiwan. The Chairperson of the Ocean Affairs Council, Kuan Pi-ling, mentioned that Ruan had previously served as a naval officer in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and stated that the national security system of the government would be involved in investigating this matter.
The Coast Guard Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council in the Republic of China announced on the 10th that the Sha Lung Radar of the Third Patrol District spotted a suspicious vessel about 6 nautical miles off the coast of Tamsui on the morning of the 9th. The vessel entered the Tamsui River and collided with a passenger boat at the Tamsui Ferry Pier, prompting the boat operator to report the incident to the Coast Guard’s emergency hotline “118”.
In a session of the Legislative Yuan today, Premier Cho Rong-tai was being questioned, with Kuan Pi-ling present as well. In response to Ruan expressing a desire for freedom, Kuan commented that such claims of seeking asylum in Taiwan for freedom are common but stressed the need for vigilance, considering Ruan’s background in the PLA Navy. She highlighted that the national security system of the government would be involved in the investigation.
Kuan further noted that while incidents like this have occurred before, Ruan’s case differs as he appeared more refined and his attire was respectable. Given his past role as a naval officer in the PLA, Kuan emphasized the gravity of the situation, mentioning that the security system facing potential systematic testing from the PLA requires enhanced monitoring and measures.
Regarding the operational error in handling the radar detection of Ruan’s boat, Kuan explained that despite the radar successfully locking onto the vessel at 6 nautical miles, there were misjudgments in tracking the vessel’s movement towards the harbor. This oversight led to delayed actions in responding to the situation, highlighting human errors in the surveillance process.
Kuan underscored the importance of accountability within the Coast Guard system, emphasizing the need for experienced personnel in key port areas and suggesting enhancements in aerial surveillance capacity to swiftly identify and address suspicious vessels to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In a separate interview, Premier Cho emphasized the government’s commitment to thoroughly investigate the incident, ensure clarity on accountability, and bolster security measures swiftly. He urged all security units to strengthen protective measures and uphold the nation’s security without compromise.
Moreover, Defense Minister Gu Li-hsiung, in a pre-meeting interview, addressed concerns regarding PLA testing boundaries using grey-zone tactics. He stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance and indicated readiness to implement corresponding measures to counter such tactics effectively.
Minister Gu emphasized the collaboration between the military and the Coast Guard in fortifying defensive capabilities at key defense points, such as the Tamsui River mouth, to prevent unauthorized entries and safeguard national security. He emphasized the importance of a cooperative approach in defending critical infrastructure to preempt any potential threats and disruptions.
In conclusion, the Taiwanese government is heightening its security measures and reviewing its protocols to ensure readiness and responsiveness to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ongoing examination of the incident underscores the gravity of maritime security challenges and the imperative of maintaining robust defense mechanisms against potential threats.