China's coast guard harassed Japanese vessel near Taiwan under typhoon guise, Taiwan says

Taiwan's Maritime and Port Bureau has condemned the actions of Chinese coast guard vessels that deliberately turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) and shadowed a Japanese patrol boat in waters west of Penghu. The bureau characterized these maneuvers as "gray zone" harassment by China, exploiting the approach of Typhoon Bailu as a pretext for its actions.

According to local fishermen, four Chinese coast guard ships were initially observed sailing south. One vessel, identified by its hull number 1401, intentionally deactivated its AIS, obscuring its movements. Later that evening, as the Japanese coast guard patrol vessel Urado (PL-86) entered the Taiwan Strait to seek shelter from the typhoon, another Chinese coast guard ship, 2304, followed it closely from the waters off Taichung southwest towards Penghu.

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China is using the typhoon as a pretext for gray zone harassment against Taiwan, while Japan is routinely "mobile typhoon evasion." It is necessary to distinguish clearly.

Maritime and Port Bureau Deputy Minister Song Cheng-en explained that vessels, including Japanese ships, often seek shelter in Taiwanese waters during typhoons, a practice known as "mobile typhoon evasion," which is considered routine. He stressed the importance of distinguishing this normal behavior from China's actions. Song pointed out that maintaining a fully operational AIS and open communication channels are crucial indicators for identifying vessels seeking emergency shelter. Furthermore, such actions must not infringe upon Taiwan's peace, order, or security.

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The full activation of the AIS ship identification system and maintaining communication channels are important conditions for judging foreign vessels seeking emergency shelter. Secondly, they must not harm Taiwan's peace, good order, or security.

Song emphasized that vessels seeking refuge must depart immediately once the emergency situation subsides or sea conditions improve, without using the shelter as an excuse to linger. He reiterated Taiwan's firm opposition to China using the guise of typhoon evasion to conduct "gray zone" activities in its waters, asserting that Taiwan will not tolerate any actions by Chinese coast guard vessels that undermine its sovereignty, defense, or security. He condemned any attempts to deny Taiwan's sovereignty and jurisdiction under the pretense of "law enforcement," "parallel navigation," or "shadowing."

Song concluded by stating that sheltering from natural weather phenomena should not be politicized. Taiwan's Coast Guard will continue to manage maritime order during natural disasters, upholding sovereignty while fulfilling international humanitarian responsibilities.

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Taiwan does not permit Chinese coast guard vessels to use the excuse of seeking refuge to engage in any actions that harm Taiwan's sovereignty, defense, or security, and firmly opposes actions that deny Taiwan's sovereignty and jurisdiction under the pretext of 'law enforcement,' 'parallel navigation,' or 'shadowing.'