TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard said Sunday that one of its patrol vessels engaged in a standoff for over 20 hours with a Chinese coast guard ship after it entered restricted waters near Dongsha Island.
The Coast Guard’s Dongsha-Nansha Branch said it detected the Chinese coast guard vessel 3501 outside the restricted waters surrounding Dongsha Island at 7:25 a.m. Saturday, per CNA. Based on the ship’s course, authorities determined it intended to enter the area and dispatched the Taichung in response.
The Chinese ship entered the restricted waters at 8:34 a.m., prompting the Taichung to move in and broadcast warnings for it to leave. The Taichung remained in a standoff with the ship until 5 p.m. on Sunday, when it left the restricted waters 26.6 nautical miles (49.26 km) west of Dongsha Island.
During the incident, the Chinese declared over the radio, “The People’s Republic of China has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Dongsha Islands. Our vessel is conducting a routine patrol mission. Please do not interfere with our actions.”
The Taichung responded by broadcasting, “Your behavior precisely proves that China's peace is a hoax. The international community will not support you. Please do not destroy peace. You should return and strive for democracy — that is the correct way to serve your country.” It then warned the vessel to alter course and leave Taiwan’s waters.
The branch said the Coast Guard has expelled Chinese coast guard ships from Dongsha restricted waters in six incidents involving four vessels since the start of the year. It added that the incursions mirror recent illegal activity by Chinese research vessels in Taiwan’s maritime zones, which authorities believe are aimed at “battlefield preparation” and expansionist purposes.
The Coast Guard condemned what it described as illegal actions undermining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and said Taiwan’s sovereignty cannot be challenged. In response to gray-zone threats posed by Chinese government vessels and research ships, the agency has established standard operating procedures and is monitoring the situation.
