In response to the incident where a former Chinese navy boat captain surnamed Ruan drove a speedboat into Taiwan’s Tamsui River Fisherman’s Wharf, National Security Bureau Director Tsai Ming-yen stated today (12th) that the security agency will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the individual’s background with the People’s Liberation Army and his activities across the strait.
The Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Republic of China’s Legislative Yuan invited National Security Bureau Director Tsai Ming-yen to provide a report with relevant intelligence agency heads on “How the country utilizes civilian communication facilities to collect national security information,” and also invited the National Communications Commission and Chunghwa Telecom to attend and prepare for questioning.
In a pre-meeting media interview, Tsai Ming-yen mentioned that there are many uncertainties regarding the incident that need further clarification. “From a national security perspective, we cannot rule out any possibilities, especially in understanding the motives of the individual coming to Taiwan and whether there is any involvement of the Chinese Communist Party behind the scenes.”
Tsai Ming-yen stated that the prosecution is handling the case, and while respecting the prosecution process, the security agency will investigate the individual’s PLA background and past activities across the strait. “We will conduct a thorough search and also inform national security units to strengthen relevant intelligence deployment and notification mechanisms to handle the reoccurrence of similar cases.”
Regarding future measures to prevent similar incidents, Tsai Ming-yen mentioned that the Coast Guard Administration publicly explained the related investigation status on the 11th. “From the perspective of the National Security Bureau, we will collaborate with the Coast Guard Administration on enhancing maritime defense, border security, referencing major practices of other countries, and future strategic actions to continuously exchange views and strengthen better border defense mechanisms.”
As for whether this case involves the Chinese Communist Party’s gray zone operations, Tsai Ming-yen emphasized that this is indeed a focus of attention. “Since the beginning of this year, we have seen activities such as the opening of the M503 air route, Chinese vessels operating in Taiwan’s waters near outlying islands, Chinese coast guard ships patrolling around the Taiwan Strait, as well as drones operating in Taiwan’s airspace near the outlying islands. Considering the patterns of these activities, we cannot rule out this being a gray zone harassment by the Chinese Communist Party against Taiwan.”
Tsai Ming-yen mentioned that they highly value the views of the international community on the situation in the Taiwan Strait after the CCP’s military expansion in the region. “We will continue to exchange relevant intelligence with the international community on the patterns of CCP military activities and potential use of force against Taiwan or various gray zone harassments.” He stated, “The National Security Bureau will prepare for various scenarios to strengthen cooperation with the international community in response to potential forms of pressure from the Chinese Communist Party against Taiwan.”
He noted that neighboring countries including the United States, Japan, and the Philippines have also expressed great concern about the patterns of Chinese gray zone harassment. He reiterated, “Although Taiwan faces considerable pressure from CCP gray zone harassment, it also provides many opportunities for Taiwan to collaborate with the international community in analyzing CCP harassment patterns and trends in gray zone operations to exchange relevant intelligence with the international community to respond to these new actions together.”