China Coast Guard vessels enter Kinmen waters; Taiwan Coast Guard asserts jurisdiction

Taiwan's Coast Guard reported on July 21 that four Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels intruded into the restricted waters around Kinmen. The Coast Guard Administration's Kinma-Penghu-Matsu Branch immediately deployed four patrol boats to implement a "one-on-one" close-quarters monitoring strategy against the intruding vessels.

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The waters around Kinmen are our jurisdiction. We demand you leave our waters.

According to the Coast Guard, its vessels maintained close proximity to the CCG ships, using their maneuverability to prevent them from advancing further into Taiwanese waters. During the encounter, Taiwanese patrol boats broadcasted messages in both Mandarin and English, clearly stating that the waters around Kinmen fall under Taiwan's jurisdiction and demanding the Chinese vessels' departure.

The Coast Guard emphasized its firm stance against such incursions, labeling China's actions as "gray zone" tactics that disrupt peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region. The administration reiterated its commitment to "resolute enforcement and no retreat," vowing to utilize surveillance technology to monitor maritime dynamics and safeguard national sovereignty and maritime security.

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Facing China's provocative actions, the Coast Guard will uphold the stance of 'resolute enforcement and no retreat,' continuously using intelligence and surveillance technology to monitor maritime dynamics and fully protect national sovereignty and maritime security.

This incident marks the third time this month that Chinese Coast Guard vessels have entered Kinmen's waters, highlighting ongoing tensions in the area. Taiwan views these incursions as a deliberate challenge to its sovereignty and a disruption of regional peace.

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China continues to use gray zone tactics to harass our restricted waters, disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region.