Chinese Government Vessels Enter Taiping Island Prohibited Waters for First Time, Escalating Gray-Zone Provocations

(Central News Agency, reporter Zhang Yilian, Kaohsiung, 11th) Two Chinese government vessels intruded into the prohibited waters of Taiping Island for the first time. The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) of the Ocean Affairs Council issued a press release today strongly condemning the act, stating it is an escalation of gray-zone provocations, creating a false impression of jurisdiction, violating international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and challenging the international order.

The CGA stated that the Nansha Command detected the Chinese vessels "Sansha Law Enforcement 301" and "Sansha No. 2" approaching Taiping Island waters in a parallel formation at approximately 7:25 AM. The CGA's Nansha detachment dispatched patrol boats "CP-1039" and "CP-1083" to respond.

The CGA said that its patrol boats conducted parallel monitoring and broadcast warnings at a distance of 0.1 nautical miles. The two Chinese government vessels entered the restricted waters 3.2 nautical miles north of Taiping Island at approximately 8:28 AM and then sailed into the prohibited waters 2.1 nautical miles north of Taiping Island at approximately 8:31 AM.

The CGA stated that the two Chinese vessels ignored navigational safety and made two large-angle course changes during the transit. After being warned by the CGA patrol boats, the two Chinese vessels exited the restricted waters at approximately 8:43 AM.

The CGA stated that this is the first time Chinese government vessels have entered the prohibited waters of Taiping Island. The incursion lasted 15 minutes, challenging Taiwan's sovereignty and endangering the safety of CGA vessels and personnel.

The CGA stated that following the recent incident where Chinese government vessels conducted "fake law enforcement, real harassment" in the waters east of Taiwan, illegally harassing international merchant ships, this incident represents another escalation of gray-zone provocations, creating a false impression of jurisdiction, violating international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and challenging the international order.

The CGA stated that in response to China's recent escalation of harassment intensity from the Dongsha Islands and eastern Taiwan waters to the Taiping Island area, the CGA is utilizing integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means to defend national sovereignty and maritime security.

The CGA stated that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and no country can infringe upon the sovereignty of the Republic of China. The CGA defends sovereignty and maintains freedom of navigation at sea. If any country asserts jurisdiction in the waters of the Republic of China, CGA vessels will forcefully expel them. (Editor: Li Mingzong) 1150611