TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Taiwan Coast Guard is offering money to citizens who help report illegal activity in the Taiwan Strait or along the country’s coasts. 

In a press release made Friday (Nov. 8), the Coast Guard outlined its reward system for people who help report abnormal activity, including the presence of foreign vessels, foreign stowaways, illegal trafficking operations, or other criminal activity. 

Those who report foreign vessels that illegally enter Taiwan’s territorial waters will be rewarded NT$3,000 (US$93). Reporting the presence of stowaways attempting to illegally enter Taiwan will result in a reward of NT$50,000 (US$1,550) for stowaways from China and NT$10,000 (US$310) for other nationalities. 

Residents who encounter suspicious activity can call 118 to contact the Coast Guard and share relevant information. If a tip is verified and assists authorities in an investigation, informants may receive between NT$3,000 and NT$50,000 depending on the severity of the crime.  

The maximum reward offered by the Coast Guard is NT$200,000 (US$6,200) per informant when multiple stowaways, vessels, or crimes are reported by the same individual. 

The Coast Guard said that because manpower and resources are limited, they hope to increase the public’s awareness of maritime security issues. The Coast Guard asks the public to stay vigilant and work together to protect Taiwan’s territory.  

In recent years, China has steadily increased its efforts to encroach on Taiwan’s territorial waters with both military and civilian assets. Confrontations between the Taiwan Coast Guard and China Coast Guard have also increased, especially around outlying islands in the Taiwan Strait, notably Kinmen. 

In 2024, Chinese citizens tried to illegally enter Taiwan by boat on at least two occasions. As a result, the government has instructed the Coast Guard and Navy to bolster their efforts at safeguarding Taiwan’s maritime security.