Taiwan’s Chung Ho Ship Collides with Land Fishing Vessel, Taiwan Navy: Will Investigate and Handle the Matter Afterwards.

The Republic of China Navy’s Chung Ho warship recently collided with a Chinese fishing vessel off the coast of Taichung Harbor. The Navy Fleet Command said today (April 4) that they are currently cooperating with the Coast Guard Administration to determine responsibility and will handle follow-up matters according to cross-strait negotiation mechanisms and relevant procedures.

In response to media reports suggesting that the Chung Ho warship collided with a Chinese fishing vessel and that the Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office demanded compensation, Republic of China Navy Fleet Command spokesman Major General Lin Chuan-sheng clarified today that the incident occurred on March 27 when the Chung Ho warship was on a mission in the waters off Taichung Harbor and collided with the mainland Chinese fishing boat “Min Lian Fish 61756”.

Lin Chuan-sheng stated that the Navy Fleet Command is currently conducting an investigation in accordance with relevant regulations in cooperation with the Coast Guard Administration to determine responsibility. After the investigation is completed, follow-up matters will be handled in accordance with cross-strait negotiation mechanisms and relevant procedures.

Furthermore, the Republic of China Ministry of National Defense announced today that from 6 a.m. on the 3rd to 6 a.m. today, a total of 16 flybys by Chinese military aircraft (with 15 instances crossing the median line into the northern and southwestern airspace) and 9 Chinese military vessels and 2 government vessels have been detected. A total of 27 Chinese aircraft and ships continue to operate in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait, and the Taiwanese military is closely monitoring and responding with mission aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems.

According to the aerial activities schematic map released by the Republic of China Ministry of National Defense today, from 8:45 a.m. on the 3rd to 5:45 a.m. today, 11 main and support Chinese fighter aircraft were detected in the Taiwan Strait airspace, with 10 instances crossing the median line.

Additionally, from 8:25 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. on the 3rd, the Taiwanese military detected 5 Chinese support aircraft and drones in the southwestern airspace of Taiwan.