Two Chinese Coast Guard Ships Practice Near Matsu’s Dongyin, Taiwan Coast Guard Drives Away Two Ships

In response to the joint exercises conducted by the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command near Taiwan, the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration under the Ocean Affairs Council of the Republic of China announced today that it had detected a formation of Chinese Coast Guard vessels also participating in the training activities and sailing close to the waters off Matsu’s Dongyin. The coast guard immediately dispatched patrol vessels to drive away the two Chinese Coast Guard ships that were disturbing the area.

The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration issued a press release stating that the Chinese Eastern Theater Command issued orders this morning around 7 a.m. for joint exercises in the seas and airspace surrounding Taiwan, with the Chinese Coast Guard indicating that patrols would be conducted in the waters near Taiwan for law enforcement purposes.

The Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council reported that the Coast Guard swiftly spotted the Chinese Coast Guard ships sailing close to the waters off Matsu’s Dongyin and promptly dispatched patrol boats to repel the intrusions of the Chinese Coast Guard vessels 14607 and 14517, with the establishment of an emergency response center and the meticulous deployment of maritime vessels online, in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense for monitoring, reassuring the public. The intimidation and provocation by the People’s Liberation Army and the Chinese Coast Guard ships represent a blatant challenge to the international order, attempting to disrupt the current situation.

The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration stated that in recent times, China has been engaging in various forms of military threats and provocations in regions such as the South China Sea, the waters near New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, continuously challenging the international order and disrupting regional stability. Such actions unequivocally demonstrate China’s role as a troublemaker on the international stage, and the Coast Guard strongly condemns such behavior.

“The unilateral actions taken by China to destabilize the region seriously undermine the peace, stability, and security of the Indo-Pacific region,” the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration, in collaboration with relevant national security agencies, is closely monitoring the developments and making adequate preparations to steadfastly defend the country’s sovereignty and maritime security, urging the public to remain calm.

The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration also sternly warns China that such reprehensible behavior only further tarnishes the desired international image of China, calling on China to immediately cease such actions and return to normalcy. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded nations to uphold regional peace, stability, and prosperity.