TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) praised the Coast Guard Administration for protecting Taiwan’s waters during an award ceremony on Tuesday.
Lai said China’s gray-zone activities and harassment have increased, creating a new normal that disrupts the status quo, according to the Presidential Office. The CGA has dispatched ships to monitor and respond to these activities.
The administration also partners with other government ministries to protect undersea cables, Lai said.
CGA personnel also conduct drug interdiction missions, prevent illegal border crossings, and carry out maritime rescues, which are vital to national security, Lai added.
The president said the government is building up the CGA’s integrated sea-air monitoring capabilities. This includes expanded deployment of drones, next-generation radar systems, infrared thermal imaging systems, and other vital high-tech equipment.
The government will also increase various allowances for CGA personnel and renovate old living quarters to provide greater support.
As Taiwan faces new challenges in the future, the role of the Coast Guard will only become more critical, Lai said.
CGA Director-General Chang Chung-lung (張忠龍) said last week that the Coast Guard has a complete standard operating procedure to handle Chinese gray-zone incidents, including recording the entire process to collect evidence. The CGA also engages with international media to inform other countries about China’s use of gray-zone tactics in these areas, he added.
