Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) Southeast Sand Branch's Dongsha Command on the evening of the 14th (October) detected the Chinese fishing vessel "Yue Tai Yu 11689" illegally crossing into Taiwan's restricted waters 30 nautical miles east of Dongsha Island. TCGA immediately dispatched the stationed vessel "Yunlin" and the Dongsha squadron CP-1025 and CP-1026 to conduct a crackdown operation. They successfully intercepted a small boat, 8.3 nautical miles northeast of Dongsha Island, and detained it along with its three crew members. The Chinese fishing vessel was subsequently driven out of Taiwan's waters.
TCGA indicated that following the interception of another illegal small boat and the expulsion of a Chinese vessel on the 12th, there was only a brief respite before the region faced further harassment by illegal activities. This time, the Chinese vessel "Yue Tai Yu 11689" took advantage of the cover of night to illegally cross into Dongsha waters and deploy a small boat, attempting to conduct illegal fishing inside the reef. The Coast Guard swiftly deployed superior vessels to encircle and, at 10:09 PM on the 14th, successfully boarded and detained the Chinese small boat, expelling the "Yue" vessel from Taiwan's waters. This operation highlights the Coast Guard's determination to protect the Dongsha waters.
Since the beginning of this year (2024), TCGA has already driven away 158 Chinese fishing vessels and detained 12 small boats in the Dongsha waters. TCGA sternly calls on China to restrain its fishing vessels and prevent illegal fishing activities in Taiwan’s waters. TCGA will continue to deploy large ships to patrol Dongsha, in coordination with the island-based capacity of the Dongsha Command Center, to ensure 24/7 protection of Taiwan's maritime territory and sovereignty.