The Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration’s “Lienchiang” vessel was reported to have driven away a Chinese Communist fishing boat that crossed into Taiwanese waters, when Chinese military and coast guard ships intervened and broadcasted messages. The Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration stated that upon investigation, the footage showing the “Lienchiang” vessel monitoring the Chinese “645” warship and driving away the Chinese fishing boat were manipulated and edited to create a false narrative, as part of China’s psychological warfare tactics.
The Taiwanese Ocean Affairs Council’s Coast Guard Administration issued a press release on the 14th, disclosing that from the 12th to the 14th, the Coast Guard fleet’s “Lienchiang” vessel was conducting patrol duties in the waters off Penghu. During the patrol in the waters 24-26 nautical miles off Mudou Island to Huayu Island, Chinese fishing boats were spotted, prompting the broadcast to drive away the trespassing Chinese boats, including “Yue Nan Ao 31067”.
The Coast Guard Administration mentioned that on the 13th and 14th, the “Lienchiang” vessel also spotted the Chinese military warship “645” 28.6 nautical miles northwest of Mudou Island, and continued to monitor the warship in coordination with Navy vessels, ignoring the “One China” propaganda broadcasts from the “645” warship. The monitoring of the Chinese “645” warship and the driving away of the Chinese fishing boats were separate incidents occurring at different times and locations.
In response to the circulating online video segments showing the Chinese military ships and coast guard vessels interfering during the Taiwanese Coast Guard’s operation to drive away the Chinese fishing boats, the Coast Guard Administration clarified that the related videos were edited from materials of the “Lienchiang” vessel’s law enforcement actions, reversed, and misconstrued.
The Coast Guard Administration pointed out that this kind of psychological warfare by China aims to create a false impression that the “Lienchiang” vessel was being disrupted by the Chinese military, which they strongly condemned. They also urged China to restrain its vessels from illegally entering Taiwanese waters.
Furthermore, on September 6th, the Coast Guard detained one Chinese fishing boat with 15 crew members for illegal fishing activities. The confiscated one ton of illegally caught fish was returned to the sea, and investigations and penalties are being carried out in accordance with the Cross-Strait Relations Act.
The Coast Guard Administration affirmed that they will continue to deploy large vessels to guard the waters off Penghu, working in tandem with the Penghu Coast Guard team to crack down on intruding Chinese fishing boats firmly defend national sovereignty and maritime rights, ensuring the sustainable development of marine resources.