Taiwan Coast Guard Apologizes After Radar Error Delays Capture of Chinese Stowaways

Two Chinese nationals who illegally entered Taiwan via an inflatable boat were arrested seven days after landing on a beach in New Taipei City's Bali district. The abandoned inflatable boat, found by locals on July 24th, contained items such as Chinese-labeled drink cans, fishing gear, and life vests, prompting an investigation by the Coast Guard.

The pair was eventually apprehended on July 30th in Taoyuan City. The incident gained significant attention as it occurred shortly before the Han Kuang military exercise, raising national security concerns. The two individuals are currently detained and under investigation by the Shilin District Court.

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The radar operator mistakenly identified the boat's signal as wave interference, leading to a significant delay in apprehension.

An inquiry into the delayed apprehension revealed a critical error by a radar operator. The operator reportedly mistook the faint, intermittent signal of the inflatable boat for "wave interference" (浪干), a common false positive on radar systems. Instead of following standard operating procedures to report the anomaly, the operator allegedly adjusted the radar settings and dismissed the signal, thereby missing the opportunity to intercept the intruders.

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The radar operator mistakenly identified the boat's signal as wave interference, leading to a significant delay in apprehension.

Coast Guard Deputy Director Hsieh Ching-chin explained that the radar system is designed to automatically track such "small tadpole" signals. However, the operator, with over four years of experience, relied too heavily on their judgment and failed to report the sighting to superiors or alert shore watch posts for verification, as required by protocol.

This lapse in procedure allowed the individuals to evade immediate capture. The Coast Guard acknowledged this as a "serious human error" and apologized for the oversight. They emphasized that while they have dealt with 29 illegal entry cases involving 71 individuals since 2025, with a 85.9% apprehension rate, the goal of zero undetected entries has not been met.

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This lapse in procedure allowed the individuals to evade immediate capture.

In response to the incident, the Coast Guard stated it will strictly hold responsible personnel accountable. They also plan to accelerate the procurement of advanced surveillance equipment, including AI-powered systems capable of identifying small targets, to enhance coastal defense and maritime security.

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We will strictly hold responsible personnel accountable.