March
1140324-China Coast Guard Hasrassment in Dongsha Waters , Mar 24, 2025
China Coast Guard Escorts Illegal Fishing Operations in Dongsha Atoll; ROC Taiwan Coast Guard Administration Intercepts, Seizes Six Boats, and Firmly Defends Sovereignty
Today (March 24), a post circulated on Mainland Chinese social media falsely claimed, in a fabricated news format titled "Taiwan Coast Guard Cracks Down Harshly on Chinese Fishing Boats; Fishermen Call for Help, CCG Arrives in Time," that the Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) had successfully intervened. The ROC Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) firmly refutes the disinformation and reiterated that Dongsha Atoll is the nation's first designated marine national park, a strict no-fishing and no-angling zone established to protect the marine environment. Taiwan's success in conserving the Dongsha ecosystem has resulted in abundant fishery resources, in stark contrast to the depleted nearshore fisheries in Mainland China.
Despite this, Dongsha has been subject to repeated incursions by illegal Mainland Chinese fishing vessels. TCGA has long upheld sovereignty in the region, even under limited resources, and has frequently intercepted unlawful Mainland Chinese fishing operations—some involving egregious practices such as the mutilation of endangered green sea turtles.
On February 15, an unusually large fleet of Mainalnd Chinese vessels emerged. Despite harsh seasonal conditions, six mother ships deployed 29 smaller boats in a coordinated effort to poach marine resources. TCGA immediately launched an enforcement operation. However, CCG vessels intruded into Taiwan’s Restricted Area to interfere with law enforcement, repeatedly circling within the zone and providing cover for the illegal fishing fleet, an act TCGA denounces as a blatant affront to global conservation values and a direct provocation of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
On February 26, TCGA launched a large-scale interdiction operation in Dongsha, successfully intercepted and boarded the Mainland Chinese vessel Yue Rao Yu 23588. During the operation, two CCG ships again entered Taiwan’s Restricted Area, attempting to obstruct enforcement. TCGA Cutter Kaohsiung and Patrol Vessel Hsun Hu No.7 promptly maneuvered to block them, and five small Mainland Chinese boats were seized. On March 11, another small boat was detained, and attempts by CCG to interfere were again thwarted.
Since March 12, no additional Mainland Chinese fishing vessels have been detected in the Dongsha area. However, two CCG ships have lingered near Restricted Area, continuing harassment. TCGA assets have maintained full monitoring and repeatedly issued radio warnings. On March 12 at 16:00, TCGA Cutter Yunlin expelled CCG 3101; on March 16 at 13:00, TCGA Cutter Taidong expelled CCG 3304. Yet, on March 18 at 22:00, CCG 3304 once again entered Restricted Area multiple times. TCGA ships remain on full alert, maintaining tight surveillance and enforcement.
TCGA stated that "Sustainable Oceans and Conservation" is one of the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14). Taiwan strictly adheres to a rules-based international maritime order and combats illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Conversely, Mainland China’s practice of using Coast Guard vessels to escort illegal fishing operations not only violates international norms but blatantly undermines marine sustainability.
TCGA issues a strong condemnation of the Mainland China ’s uncivil and aggressive actions, warning that such harassment has escalated cross-strait tensions and unilaterally undermines regional peace and stability. TCGA affirms its unwavering commitment to enforcing the law, defending national sovereignty, and safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Dongsha Atoll around the clock.
Today (March 24), a post circulated on Mainland Chinese social media falsely claimed, in a fabricated news format titled "Taiwan Coast Guard Cracks Down Harshly on Chinese Fishing Boats; Fishermen Call for Help, CCG Arrives in Time," that the Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) had successfully intervened. The ROC Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) firmly refutes the disinformation and reiterated that Dongsha Atoll is the nation's first designated marine national park, a strict no-fishing and no-angling zone established to protect the marine environment. Taiwan's success in conserving the Dongsha ecosystem has resulted in abundant fishery resources, in stark contrast to the depleted nearshore fisheries in Mainland China.
Despite this, Dongsha has been subject to repeated incursions by illegal Mainland Chinese fishing vessels. TCGA has long upheld sovereignty in the region, even under limited resources, and has frequently intercepted unlawful Mainland Chinese fishing operations—some involving egregious practices such as the mutilation of endangered green sea turtles.
On February 15, an unusually large fleet of Mainalnd Chinese vessels emerged. Despite harsh seasonal conditions, six mother ships deployed 29 smaller boats in a coordinated effort to poach marine resources. TCGA immediately launched an enforcement operation. However, CCG vessels intruded into Taiwan’s Restricted Area to interfere with law enforcement, repeatedly circling within the zone and providing cover for the illegal fishing fleet, an act TCGA denounces as a blatant affront to global conservation values and a direct provocation of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
On February 26, TCGA launched a large-scale interdiction operation in Dongsha, successfully intercepted and boarded the Mainland Chinese vessel Yue Rao Yu 23588. During the operation, two CCG ships again entered Taiwan’s Restricted Area, attempting to obstruct enforcement. TCGA Cutter Kaohsiung and Patrol Vessel Hsun Hu No.7 promptly maneuvered to block them, and five small Mainland Chinese boats were seized. On March 11, another small boat was detained, and attempts by CCG to interfere were again thwarted.
Since March 12, no additional Mainland Chinese fishing vessels have been detected in the Dongsha area. However, two CCG ships have lingered near Restricted Area, continuing harassment. TCGA assets have maintained full monitoring and repeatedly issued radio warnings. On March 12 at 16:00, TCGA Cutter Yunlin expelled CCG 3101; on March 16 at 13:00, TCGA Cutter Taidong expelled CCG 3304. Yet, on March 18 at 22:00, CCG 3304 once again entered Restricted Area multiple times. TCGA ships remain on full alert, maintaining tight surveillance and enforcement.
TCGA stated that "Sustainable Oceans and Conservation" is one of the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14). Taiwan strictly adheres to a rules-based international maritime order and combats illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Conversely, Mainland China’s practice of using Coast Guard vessels to escort illegal fishing operations not only violates international norms but blatantly undermines marine sustainability.
TCGA issues a strong condemnation of the Mainland China ’s uncivil and aggressive actions, warning that such harassment has escalated cross-strait tensions and unilaterally undermines regional peace and stability. TCGA affirms its unwavering commitment to enforcing the law, defending national sovereignty, and safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Dongsha Atoll around the clock.
- Source: 海巡署
- Date: 2026/04/15
