China Coast Guard Conducts First Incursion into Kinmen Waters in 2025; ROC TCGA Responds with Preemptive Patrol Deployment and Firm Expulsion

Early this morning, the ROC Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA)'s Patrol Area Office 12, under Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch (KMP Branch), detected five Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels operating in formation off the southern coast of Kinmen. In response, TCGA immediately deployed Patrol Boats to the outer boundary of Taiwan’s Restricted Area for close-range monitoring and interception.
At approximately 07:30, CCG vessel 14515 coordinated a four-ship incursion involving hull numbers 14504, 14603, 14602, and 14608, entering from four different directions: the southern approaches of Jhuishan, Houhu, Liaoluo, and Fuguidun. The CCG vessels then regrouped into two dual-ship formations. In response, four pre-positioned TCGA Patrol Boats swiftly approached to intercept, issued stern radio warnings in Mandarin and English, conducted parallel shadowing maneuvers, and documented the entire encounter. By 09:30, all CCG vessels were expelled from Taiwan’s Restricted Area.
Notably, this incursion occurred earlier than typical operational patterns, prompting the TCGA to maintain a heightened state of alert along the outer boundary of Restriction Area. As anticipated, at 10:00, the exact four CCG vessels re-entered the Restricted Area in a reorganized formation. TCGA’s on-duty Patrol Boats executed parallel tracking and repeated radio warnings. By 12:00 noon, the CCG ships withdrew under full surveillance and pressure from TCGA units.
This incident marks the first CCG incursion into Kinmen waters since the beginning of 2025, and follows 54 such incursions in 2024. TCGA emphasized that, despite CCG’s evolving tactics and incursion timing, they remain unwavering in its commitment to defend national sovereignty, enforce maritime jurisdiction, and safeguard national security with firmness and professionalism.