The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu Branch stated that today (15th), four Chinese Coast Guard vessels were spotted approaching the restricted waters south of Kinmen in the morning and afternoon. Dispatched four patrol boats to broadcast warnings and drive them away. The Coast Guard called on China to immediately cease such provocations.
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu Branch issued a press release today, indicating that at 8:50 am, four Chinese Coast Guard ships with hull numbers “14521,” “14608,” “14509,” and “14507” respectively, sailed from various locations south of Kinmen – Fuxing Island, Dashaan, Luoro, and Beiding – into Taiwanese waters.
In parallel coordination, the Taiwan Coast Guard simultaneously dispatched four patrol boats to track the Chinese vessels, “issuing warnings in Chinese and English throughout the process, firmly declaring our law enforcement position, and conducting evidence searches to drive them away. The Chinese Coast Guard ships departed around 11 am under the surveillance of our patrol boats, lasting approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.”
The Taiwan Coast Guard Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu Branch stated, “At 2:45 pm today, the same four Chinese Coast Guard vessels reentered the restricted waters of Kinmen. Our branch immediately dispatched the pre-deployed four patrol boats to drive them away and monitored their exit from the restricted waters by 5 pm.”
The Taiwan Coast Guard emphasized, “The Chinese Coast Guard’s presence in the busy maritime lanes near Kinmen poses a grey zone threat to us, seriously impacting maritime safety, exacerbating cross-strait tensions, and straining the emotional ties between the two sides, hindering equal exchanges. We urge China to cease such provocations immediately. The Coast Guard will uphold the principles of non-provocation and non-retreat, safeguarding maritime security and order, and fully defending national sovereignty.”