March
1140321-China Coast Guard Hasrassment in Dongsha Waters , Mar 21, 2025
China Coast Guard Escorts Illegal Fishing Operations in Taiwan’s Dongsha Atoll; ROC Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Responds Firmly and Condemns Aggression
The ROC Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) stated today (March 21) that the Dongsha Atoll, designated as Taiwan’s first national marine park, is a fully protected marine conservation zone where all fishing and angling activities are strictly prohibited to preserve marine ecosystems. Taiwan’s conservation efforts have made Dongsha a haven of marine biodiversity, in stark contrast to the depleted coastal resources of mainland China.
However, Dongsha has come under frequent incursion by illegal Mainland Chinese fishing vessels recently, prompting TCGA to reiterate its steadfast commitment to national sovereignty despite limited resources. Over the years, TCGA has intercepted numerous illegal activities, including egregious acts such as the poaching and butchering of endangered green sea turtles.
On February 15, an unusual and coordinated intrusion occurred. Despite being a season of poor sea conditions, a fleet of six Mainland Chinese mother ships deployed 29 smaller boats into Dongsha waters—an unprecedented scale. TCGA immediately initiated enforcement operations. However, Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels crossed into Taiwan’s Restricted Area to obstruct enforcement efforts. These CCG vessels circled within Restricted Area, essentially shielding illegal fishing operations, blatantly disregarding international marine conservation norms and challenging Taiwan’s sovereignty.
On February 26, TCGA launched a major interdiction operation in Dongsha, successfully boarded and inspected the Mainland Chinese fishing vessel "Yue Rao Yu 23588", while two CCG vessels entered Taiwan’s Restricted Area to interfere. TCGA Cutter Kaohsiung and Patrol Vessel Hsun Hu No.7 maneuvered to block the CCG ships and seized five small boats. On March 11, another Mainland Chinese boat was detained despite similar interference attempts by CCG ships, which were again repelled.
Although no additional Mainland Chinese fishing vessels have been detected in Dongsha waters since March 12, two CCG vessels have continued patrol near Taiwan’s Restricted Area. TCGA assets have maintained constant monitoring and issued repeated radio warnings. On March 12 at 16:00, TCGA Cutter Yunlin forced CCG ship 3101 out of the zone; on March 16 at 13:00, Cutter Taidong expelled CCG 3304. However, on March 18 at 22:00, CCG 3304 re-entered the Restricted Area multiple times, with TCGA vessels maintaining real-time surveillance and continued expulsion operations.
TCGA emphasized that the “sustainable oceans and conservation” goal, outlined in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14), must be upheld by all responsible nations. Taiwan enforces rule-based marine governance and opposes illegal fishing. In contrast, Mainland China’s deployment of Coast Guard vessels to shield illegal fishing fleets undermines international norms and reflects a disturbing departure from civilized maritime conduct.
TCGA issued a stern condemnation of the Mainland China’s unlawful and aggressive acts, noting that such incursions escalate cross-strait tensions and destabilize regional peace. TCGA reiterated its unwavering stance that they will maintain round-the-clock patrols, monitor Mainland China’s maritime activities, and safeguard national sovereignty and the ecological integrity of Dongsha’s marine environment.
The ROC Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) stated today (March 21) that the Dongsha Atoll, designated as Taiwan’s first national marine park, is a fully protected marine conservation zone where all fishing and angling activities are strictly prohibited to preserve marine ecosystems. Taiwan’s conservation efforts have made Dongsha a haven of marine biodiversity, in stark contrast to the depleted coastal resources of mainland China.
However, Dongsha has come under frequent incursion by illegal Mainland Chinese fishing vessels recently, prompting TCGA to reiterate its steadfast commitment to national sovereignty despite limited resources. Over the years, TCGA has intercepted numerous illegal activities, including egregious acts such as the poaching and butchering of endangered green sea turtles.
On February 15, an unusual and coordinated intrusion occurred. Despite being a season of poor sea conditions, a fleet of six Mainland Chinese mother ships deployed 29 smaller boats into Dongsha waters—an unprecedented scale. TCGA immediately initiated enforcement operations. However, Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels crossed into Taiwan’s Restricted Area to obstruct enforcement efforts. These CCG vessels circled within Restricted Area, essentially shielding illegal fishing operations, blatantly disregarding international marine conservation norms and challenging Taiwan’s sovereignty.
On February 26, TCGA launched a major interdiction operation in Dongsha, successfully boarded and inspected the Mainland Chinese fishing vessel "Yue Rao Yu 23588", while two CCG vessels entered Taiwan’s Restricted Area to interfere. TCGA Cutter Kaohsiung and Patrol Vessel Hsun Hu No.7 maneuvered to block the CCG ships and seized five small boats. On March 11, another Mainland Chinese boat was detained despite similar interference attempts by CCG ships, which were again repelled.
Although no additional Mainland Chinese fishing vessels have been detected in Dongsha waters since March 12, two CCG vessels have continued patrol near Taiwan’s Restricted Area. TCGA assets have maintained constant monitoring and issued repeated radio warnings. On March 12 at 16:00, TCGA Cutter Yunlin forced CCG ship 3101 out of the zone; on March 16 at 13:00, Cutter Taidong expelled CCG 3304. However, on March 18 at 22:00, CCG 3304 re-entered the Restricted Area multiple times, with TCGA vessels maintaining real-time surveillance and continued expulsion operations.
TCGA emphasized that the “sustainable oceans and conservation” goal, outlined in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14), must be upheld by all responsible nations. Taiwan enforces rule-based marine governance and opposes illegal fishing. In contrast, Mainland China’s deployment of Coast Guard vessels to shield illegal fishing fleets undermines international norms and reflects a disturbing departure from civilized maritime conduct.
TCGA issued a stern condemnation of the Mainland China’s unlawful and aggressive acts, noting that such incursions escalate cross-strait tensions and destabilize regional peace. TCGA reiterated its unwavering stance that they will maintain round-the-clock patrols, monitor Mainland China’s maritime activities, and safeguard national sovereignty and the ecological integrity of Dongsha’s marine environment.
- Source: 海巡署
- Date: 2026/04/15
