March
1150319-China Coast Guard Harassment in Dongsha Waters , Mar 19, 2026
Mainland China Coast Guard Maliciously Harasses Dongsha Water; Taiwan Coast Guard Strongly Condemns and Firmly Expels Intruding Vessel
March 19, 2026
At 09:15 on March 18, the Dongsha-Nansha Branch detected Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel “3102” operating outside the Dongsha Restricted Water. Based on its course, Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) assessed that it might enter Taiwan’s Restricted Water and immediately dispatched the cutter Kaohsiung to conduct monitoring and expulsion operations.
At 09:40, the vessel entered the Dongsha Restricted Water. The cutter Kaohsiung conducted close-range monitoring and interception, while issuing radio warnings in Mandarin and English demanding that the vessel alter course and depart immediately.
Under continuous interception and expulsion operations, the vessel ultimately exited the Restricted Water at 10:55 on March 19, approximately 35.9 nautical miles east of Dongsha Island.
TCGA stated that since the beginning of 2026, three CCG vessels in four incursions have been expelled from the Dongsha Restricted Water. These vessels have repeatedly intruded with AIS turned off, indicating gray zone harassment tactics intended to test Taiwan’s surveillance and response capabilities.
TCGA strongly condemns such actions and calls on Mainland China to cease all intrusive activities. The Taiwan Coast Guard will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime security.
March 19, 2026
At 09:15 on March 18, the Dongsha-Nansha Branch detected Mainland China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel “3102” operating outside the Dongsha Restricted Water. Based on its course, Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (TCGA) assessed that it might enter Taiwan’s Restricted Water and immediately dispatched the cutter Kaohsiung to conduct monitoring and expulsion operations.
At 09:40, the vessel entered the Dongsha Restricted Water. The cutter Kaohsiung conducted close-range monitoring and interception, while issuing radio warnings in Mandarin and English demanding that the vessel alter course and depart immediately.
Under continuous interception and expulsion operations, the vessel ultimately exited the Restricted Water at 10:55 on March 19, approximately 35.9 nautical miles east of Dongsha Island.
TCGA stated that since the beginning of 2026, three CCG vessels in four incursions have been expelled from the Dongsha Restricted Water. These vessels have repeatedly intruded with AIS turned off, indicating gray zone harassment tactics intended to test Taiwan’s surveillance and response capabilities.
TCGA strongly condemns such actions and calls on Mainland China to cease all intrusive activities. The Taiwan Coast Guard will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime security.
- Source: 海巡署
- Date: 2026/03/20
