TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) has marked Nov. 8 as Coast Guard Day to honor the dedication of Coast Guard Administration staff to safeguarding national sovereignty and public safety. 

The day has been approved and listed as a national commemorative day by the Ministry of the Interior, CNA reported.

OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said the day recognizes the significant contributions of over 10,000 Coast Guard personnel in protecting Taiwan’s waters year-round. The date is inspired by the CGA emergency hotline number "118," reminding the public that this hotline is the number to call for maritime emergencies or unusual sightings.

Over the past year, the CGA has seen an increase in Chinese gray-zone tactics involving fishing vessels and Chinese coast guard ships. Last month, eight Chinese coast guard vessels entered Taiwan's restricted waters around Kinmen over two days. The CGA’s Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch dispatched patrol boats to drive the vessels off.

The CGA has urged China to cease actions that undermine cross-strait peace.