March
1150316-China Coast Guard Harassment in Kinmen Waters , March 16, 2026
Amid Heightened International Tensions, Mainland China Coast Guard Continues Harassment; Taiwan Coast Guard Conducts One-on-One Monitoring and Firmly Expels Intruding Vessels
With sea conditions improving recently, the Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) has continued to intrude into water near Kinmen despite heightened international tensions. On March 16, the 12th Patrol Area under the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch detected through multiple surveillance and reconnaissance methods that CCG vessels were assembling near Kinmen water. TCGA immediately deployed pre-positioned patrol boats to conduct parallel monitoring and expulsion operations.
At approximately 14:00, the 12th Patrol Area detected CCG vessels appearing in water surrounding Kinmen. Patrol boats were immediately mobilized and forward deployed along the Restricted Area boundary.
At 14:50, four CCG vessels — 14605, 14533, 14603, and 14531 — were observed sailing in formation toward water south of Kinmen from offshore areas and subsequently entered Taiwan’s water from the south of Lieyu. TCGA patrol boats immediately moved forward to conduct parallel monitoring and interception, while issuing radio warnings in Mandarin and English demanding that the vessels alter course and depart.
Under continuous one-on-one monitoring by TCGA patrol boats, the four CCG vessels ultimately exited the Kinmen Restricted Area at 16:59.
TCGA stated that amid the heightened tensions in the Middle East, global oil supply chains are facing increasing pressure and energy security has entered a state of heightened alert. The formation sailing of CCG vessels in Kinmen water is meaningless and unnecessarily consumes fuel, and Mainland China should cease such harassment activities and contribute to regional peace and stability.
The Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch and the 12th Patrol Area will continue to strengthen surveillance, response, and operational deployment capabilities. TCGA remains committed to a firm law‑enforcement stance, taking comprehensive measures to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure maritime security.
With sea conditions improving recently, the Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) has continued to intrude into water near Kinmen despite heightened international tensions. On March 16, the 12th Patrol Area under the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch detected through multiple surveillance and reconnaissance methods that CCG vessels were assembling near Kinmen water. TCGA immediately deployed pre-positioned patrol boats to conduct parallel monitoring and expulsion operations.
At approximately 14:00, the 12th Patrol Area detected CCG vessels appearing in water surrounding Kinmen. Patrol boats were immediately mobilized and forward deployed along the Restricted Area boundary.
At 14:50, four CCG vessels — 14605, 14533, 14603, and 14531 — were observed sailing in formation toward water south of Kinmen from offshore areas and subsequently entered Taiwan’s water from the south of Lieyu. TCGA patrol boats immediately moved forward to conduct parallel monitoring and interception, while issuing radio warnings in Mandarin and English demanding that the vessels alter course and depart.
Under continuous one-on-one monitoring by TCGA patrol boats, the four CCG vessels ultimately exited the Kinmen Restricted Area at 16:59.
TCGA stated that amid the heightened tensions in the Middle East, global oil supply chains are facing increasing pressure and energy security has entered a state of heightened alert. The formation sailing of CCG vessels in Kinmen water is meaningless and unnecessarily consumes fuel, and Mainland China should cease such harassment activities and contribute to regional peace and stability.
The Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch and the 12th Patrol Area will continue to strengthen surveillance, response, and operational deployment capabilities. TCGA remains committed to a firm law‑enforcement stance, taking comprehensive measures to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure maritime security.
- Source: 海巡署
- Date: 2026/03/18
