January
Taiwan Coast Guard Responds to Chinese Boarding of Kinmen Sightseeing Vessel
The Taiwan Coast Guard (TCG) issued a statement today regarding an incident involving Chinese maritime law enforcement boarding a Taiwanese sightseeing vessel near Kinmen.
At 16:47 on the 19th of this month, Patrol Area Office 12 detected two Chinese coast guard vessels via radar and infrared thermal imaging systems operating approximately 2.8 nautical miles northwest of Wusha Point, Greater Kinmen. The vessels were observed approaching and boarding the Taiwanese-flagged passenger vessel *Jin-Xia Cruise*. TCG immediately dispatched Patrol Boat 10039 to respond.
A total of six Chinese coast guard officers boarded the vessel and conducted onboard inspections. They reviewed the ship’s sailing plan, certification documents, and the licenses of the captain and crew, with the captain signing an inspection record. The boarding concluded at 17:19, and the Chinese officers disembarked.
Preliminary findings confirmed that the *Jin-Xia Cruise* had departed from Shuitou Port, Kinmen, at 15:33 on the same day. The vessel was carrying 11 Taiwanese crew members and 23 passengers for a coastal sightseeing tour around Kinmen. Due to the presence of multiple sandbanks near Wusha Point, the vessel had veered closer to mainland Chinese waters during the course of its route.
TCG Patrol Boat 10039 arrived on the scene at 17:33, established communication with the *Jin-Xia Cruise*, and escorted it back to Shuitou Port without further incident.
The *Jin-Xia Cruise* is a local sightseeing boat operated out of Kinmen. Similar Chinese sightseeing vessels have previously been observed conducting tours near the waters off Kinmen. In line with longstanding goodwill and standard practice, TCG vessels have never boarded such vessels even when they have inadvertently entered Taiwan’s waters; instead, they are warned and asked to leave via radio.
The Taiwan Coast Guard urges Chinese authorities to act with restraint and goodwill to maintain peace and stability in the waters between Kinmen and Xiamen. TCG also reminds the public to exercise caution and avoid approaching waters close to the mainland while engaging in maritime activities.
At 16:47 on the 19th of this month, Patrol Area Office 12 detected two Chinese coast guard vessels via radar and infrared thermal imaging systems operating approximately 2.8 nautical miles northwest of Wusha Point, Greater Kinmen. The vessels were observed approaching and boarding the Taiwanese-flagged passenger vessel *Jin-Xia Cruise*. TCG immediately dispatched Patrol Boat 10039 to respond.
A total of six Chinese coast guard officers boarded the vessel and conducted onboard inspections. They reviewed the ship’s sailing plan, certification documents, and the licenses of the captain and crew, with the captain signing an inspection record. The boarding concluded at 17:19, and the Chinese officers disembarked.
Preliminary findings confirmed that the *Jin-Xia Cruise* had departed from Shuitou Port, Kinmen, at 15:33 on the same day. The vessel was carrying 11 Taiwanese crew members and 23 passengers for a coastal sightseeing tour around Kinmen. Due to the presence of multiple sandbanks near Wusha Point, the vessel had veered closer to mainland Chinese waters during the course of its route.
TCG Patrol Boat 10039 arrived on the scene at 17:33, established communication with the *Jin-Xia Cruise*, and escorted it back to Shuitou Port without further incident.
The *Jin-Xia Cruise* is a local sightseeing boat operated out of Kinmen. Similar Chinese sightseeing vessels have previously been observed conducting tours near the waters off Kinmen. In line with longstanding goodwill and standard practice, TCG vessels have never boarded such vessels even when they have inadvertently entered Taiwan’s waters; instead, they are warned and asked to leave via radio.
The Taiwan Coast Guard urges Chinese authorities to act with restraint and goodwill to maintain peace and stability in the waters between Kinmen and Xiamen. TCG also reminds the public to exercise caution and avoid approaching waters close to the mainland while engaging in maritime activities.
- Source: 海巡署
- Date: 2025/11/11
