Chinese Coast Guard Vessels Broadcast Provocation in Green Island Waters; Taiwan Coast Guard Responds with 'Mutual Non-Subordination' and Forces Disengagement

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Liu Chien-pang, Taipei, June 13) The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) announced today that two Chinese coast guard vessels appeared in waters 60 nautical miles southeast of Green Island. Taiwanese patrol vessels were dispatched to monitor the situation, with both sides approaching within just 2 nautical miles. During the encounter, the Chinese vessels broadcast provocative statements, to which the CGA responded by asserting 'mutual non-subordination' and forcefully driving them away.

According to a press release from the Ocean Affairs Council's Coast Guard Administration, Chinese coast guard vessels '2304' and '2502' appeared at 9:48 a.m. today, 60 nautical miles southeast of Green Island (31 nautical miles outside the restricted waters). The CGA dispatched the patrol vessel 'Chun-Hu No. 9' to the scene for continuous monitoring and response, with the two sides positioned 2 nautical miles apart.

During the standoff, the CGA reported that Chinese coast guard vessel '2502' broadcast a message stating: 'We are currently conducting law enforcement patrols in the waters surrounding Taiwan, People's Republic of China. The so-called Republic of China does not exist. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and a province of the People's Republic of China. Without approval from the People's Republic of China, you have no right to conduct so-called law enforcement activities here.'

In response, the 'Chun-Hu No. 9' immediately broadcast a stern reply in both Chinese and English: 'The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are mutually non-subordinate. This is the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of China. You do not possess any sovereignty or jurisdiction in this area, and your actions violate international conventions. I demand that you leave immediately.'

As of 4:00 p.m. today, the two Chinese coast guard vessels continued sailing southward, located 56 nautical miles east of Orchid Island.

The CGA emphasized that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related regulations, the Republic of China possesses full sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone off eastern Taiwan, and the People's Republic of China holds no sovereignty or jurisdiction in this area.

The CGA further stated that China's official vessels broadcasting in foreign waters and interfering with commercial ships undermine freedom of navigation, violate UNCLOS, and seriously threaten regional peace and stability.

The CGA noted that China has recently intensified gray-zone incursions and cognitive warfare to create a false impression of jurisdiction. It will continue to employ integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance methods to closely monitor the movements of Chinese official vessels, appropriately deploy patrol assets, and deter China's 'pseudo-law enforcement, real power expansion' through concrete actions, ensuring national sovereignty and maritime security. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150613