TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch (金馬澎分署) of the Coast Guard Administration (海巡署) on Monday (Oct. 28) detected four Chinese coast guard vessels approaching Taiwan's restricted waters south of Kinmen. In response, officials deployed four patrol boats to intercept the intruders, employing a "1-to-1" parallel response strategy to ensure the vessels retreated promptly.
Following China's Joint Sword-2024B (聯合利劍-2024B) exercise, the Chinese ships, identified by hull numbers "14512," "14609," "14603," and "14602," entered from various points near Kinmen around 2 p.m. Taiwan's Coast Guard maintained a vigilant stance, broadcasting warnings in Chinese and English to assert its legal position. After a tense two-hour standoff, the Chinese vessels exited the area around 5 p.m.
A news release from the Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch stated that despite adverse sea conditions, the Coast Guard personnel demonstrated exceptional maneuverability. The agency emphasized that the Chinese coast guard's actions exacerbate tensions between the two sides and hinder equal exchanges. Officials urged China to avoid similar provocations and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding Taiwan's maritime security and sovereignty.
The Coast Guard's decisive response underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining peace and stability in the region. As tensions persist, the agency remains vigilant in its efforts to protect Taiwan's territorial waters.