The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration stated that on the afternoon of the 12th, the Chinese Communist Party’s “Yanping No. 2” official vessel attempted underwater exploration in the waters of Dongding Island, Kinmen. The coast guard immediately intervened to stop and drive them away. The operation of underwater exploration by the Chinese research vessel may not only be for scientific purposes but also for potential strategic intentions, possibly for future military deployments.
On the afternoon of the 12th, at 1:01 pm, the radar of the Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu division of the coast guard detected the Chinese Communist Party’s “Yanping No. 2” official vessel 2.6 nautical miles northwest of the south of Kinmen’s Dongding Island, trespassing into the restricted waters of the Republic of China. The coast guard promptly dispatched the PP-3552 and PP-3520 vessels to the scene to conduct broadcast warnings for evacuation. At 3:52 pm, the “Yanping No. 2” vessel was escorted out of the restricted waters and continued to sail away from the area.
During the evacuation of the “Yanping No. 2” vessel at 3:00 pm on the 12th, the PP-3520 vessel observed the vessel deploying underwater detection instruments, suspected to be conducting underwater exploration. The PP-3520 vessel immediately broadcasted inquiries, demanding the retrieval of the deployed instruments. The “Yanping No. 2” vessel responded by agreeing to cease the activities and retrieve the instruments.
At 3:52 pm on the 12th, two coast guard vessels escorted the “Yanping No. 2” vessel beyond the 3 nautical miles southeast of Dongding Island, outside the restricted waters, as they continued moving away.
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration emphasized that the entry of the Chinese research vessel into the restricted waters of the Republic of China for underwater exploration is not solely for scientific research purposes. It may have strategic implications, such as surveying underwater geology, topography, hydrology, etc. Under the guise of scientific research, the vessel may be conducting a reconnaissance of the battlefield environment for future military deployments.
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration strongly condemned the provocative actions of the Chinese Communist Party using research vessels to disturb Taiwan’s waters. Coast guard vessels will guard the country’s maritime territory around the clock, closely monitoring the movements of Chinese official vessels, and vigorously driving them away when necessary to defend national sovereignty and ensure Taiwan’s maritime rights and interests.