China Coast Guard intrudes into Kinmen’s prohibited waters; Taiwan Coast Guard Administration responds forcefully and strongly condemns
China’s provocative behavior escalated maliciously. Yesterday (18th) afternoon, Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) 12th Patrol District under the Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch detected Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels crossing into Taiwan’s prohibited waters around Kinmen. This action severely undermines regional peace and stability. TCGA patrol boats used close monitoring and wave-making tactics to force the vessels to change course and leave.
At around 12:00 on the 18th, TCGA 12th Patrol District detected a gathering of CCG vessels south of Dahao Mountain, and dispatched patrol boats to deploy in the southern waters of Kinmen. At 14:52, four CCG vessels—“14605,” “14515,” “14606,” and “14609”—entered Kinmen’s restricted waters in a column formation from south of Zhaishan. The Coast Guard immediately approached with pre-positioned patrol boats. As the Chinese vessels continued into prohibited waters, patrol boats adopted a “bow-pressing” tactic, approaching the vessels’ bows to prevent further intrusion, while broadcasting in Chinese and English to drive them away. Under strong TCGA enforcement, the four Chinese vessels turned and exited the restricted waters of Kinmen at 16:17.
TCGA stressed that CCG has maliciously escalated gray-zone harassment against Taiwan. Such provocative actions that undermine regional peace and stability are strongly condemned. TCGA continues to strengthen surveillance capabilities, accurately track Chinese official vessels, and adapt response modes and intensity according to intrusion patterns to fully safeguard national sovereignty and maritime security.