For the second day in a row, Chinese Coast Guard ships have breached the waters surrounding Kinmen, an area under Taiwan’s control. This incursion follows closely on the heels of an earlier violation on March 15, when four Chinese vessels entered Kinmen’s restricted waters. Analysts interpret China’s assertive maneuvers, aimed at demonstrating sovereignty, as strategic posturing intended more for domestic consumption in China than as an actual threat.
The Taiwan Ocean Affairs Council’s Coast Guard Administration disclosed that on the morning of March 16, Chinese vessels with hull numbers 14608, 2202, 2203, and 14604 once again violated Kinmen’s maritime boundaries. The Taiwan Coast Guard responded by deploying patrol boats to monitor the situation and issued warnings to the intruding ships, which withdrew by 10:06 a.m.
The frequent intrusions by the Chinese Coast Guard are criticized for jeopardizing maritime safety and order, especially given the dense sea traffic in and around Taiwan’s waters, often through narrow passages. In light of the potential for maritime accidents, Taiwan’s Coast Guard urged China to halt these provocations to safeguard navigational safety.
This latest incident marks a repeated pattern, with Chinese vessels breaching Kinmen’s waters under the guise of “law enforcement patrols.” This follows a similar episode on March 15, where China dispatched four Coast Guard ships to the same area. According to the Chinese Coast Guard, these patrols by the Fujian Coast Guard near Kinmen aim to “protect the rights, interests, and safety of Chinese fishermen, including those from the Taiwan region.”
This marks the second non-military incursion within a 24-hour period. A spokesperson for Taiwan’s Executive Yuan remarked on China’s continuous antagonistic maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait and its pressure on Taiwan as attempts to unilaterally alter the longstanding status quo, undermining decades of global peace and stability.
The proximity of Kinmen and Xiamen, approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) apart, coupled with a protracted military standoff, has heightened the sensitivity of the region. Under Taiwan’s legislation governing cross-strait relations, vessels from mainland China are prohibited from entering Taiwan’s restricted or banned waters without explicit authorization. For outer islands like Kinmen and Matsu, waters within 24 nautical miles are deemed restricted, and those within 12 nautical miles are prohibited.
Taiwanese Military Analyst: ‘China’s Intent to Assert Sovereignty Is Clear’
Amid these developments, Taiwan’s military analysis highlights the substantial growth of China’s Coast Guard fleet, which now boasts over 70 ships exceeding 3,000 tons and is equipped comparably to naval vessels.The enactment of China’s Coast Guard Law in 2021, permitting the use of force in maritime disputes, underscores China’s assertive stance in regional waters, including the contentious Dongsha and Nansha areas. This approach has elicited concern from neighboring countries and the United States alike. The inclusion of high-tonnage vessels in these incursions, notably ships 2202 and 2203 from the Coast Guard’s Second Bureau, signifies a deliberate escalation by China.
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Taiwanese military analyst Chi Le-Yi interprets these actions as “[Beijing’s] intent to assert sovereignty claims.”
Mr. Chi points out that while the delineation of restricted waters was established by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense in 1992, China’s recent aggressions are fueled by Taiwan’s rejection of the 1992 Consensus, highlighting a pivotal shift in the dynamics of cross-strait relations.
Mr. Chi articulated concerns regarding China’s aggressive maritime actions, interpreting them as part of a broader strategy that transcends mere sovereignty claims. He suggests that China’s motive behind these provocations is to reinforce its “One-China Principle,” a stance increasingly undermined by Taiwan and the United States. This attempt to dominate the narrative comes as China faces internal pressures and seeks to alleviate its geopolitical insecurities by reclaiming the discourse on national unity.
According to Mr. Chi, Beijing’s strategy operates within a “grey zone,” exploiting ambiguities that allow for the use of Coast Guard vessels under the guise of maritime law enforcement rather than military aggression.
“China claims that its Coast Guard vessels are not military ships but are for maritime law enforcement. However, it is crucial to recognize that while the Coast Guard and its ships are primarily responsible for maritime rights enforcement, they also undertake tasks such as coordinating with the military for combat operations. Therefore, we should not view this merely as an issue of strait jurisdiction. We need to look broader to see if there will be some level of pre-deployment in coordination with military actions, including intelligence gathering,” Mr. Chi said.
The analyst points out Taiwan’s limitations in responding to these incursions. While Taiwan is constrained to non-military responses and must adhere to regulations that dictate polite expulsions, China utilizes these incursions to collect valuable intelligence. This asymmetry not only undermines Taiwan’s sovereignty but also poses significant security risks, potentially laying the groundwork for more aggressive steps by China in the region.
Ex-Navy Officer Views China’s Actions as Bluffing for Domestic Appeal
Contrasting Mr. Chi’s analysis, Yao Cheng, a former staff colonel with the Chinese Navy Command, has expressed skepticism regarding China’s military maneuvers, suggesting that they serve primarily as a display for the domestic audience rather than a genuine threat. While speaking with The Epoch Times, Mr. Yao highlighted the limited impact of China’s deployment of Coast Guard ships, dismissing it as ineffective posturing.“Whatever China does, it won’t have much effect; it’s just for show to the domestic audience,” Mr. Yao remarked. “Even if it sends dozens or hundreds more Coast Guard ships, it won’t make much difference. Moreover, threatening fishermen is pointless. When has the CCP genuinely protected the rights and interests of the people?”
Mr. Yao further clarified that the Chinese Coast Guard’s capabilities are notably limited in comparison to military forces. Even in encounters with Taiwanese patrol boats, their engagement options are restricted primarily to non-lethal measures such as water cannons, given the absence of heavy armaments on Coast Guard ships.
He also referred to recent statements from Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, which underscored Taiwan’s readiness to defend its territorial waters. The minister indicated that Taiwanese military commanders have the authority to respond decisively, including the use of force, should Chinese vessels breach Taiwan’s 12-nautical-mile territorial sea and ignore warnings to withdraw.
Highlighting the strengthening of military ties between Taiwan and the United States, including the deployment of U.S. Army Special Forces for joint training operations in Taiwan, Mr. Yao argued that these developments have significantly diminished any potential threat from China.
According to Mr. Yao, China’s military actions are largely theatrical, designed to project power rather than pose a real challenge to Taiwan. “It’s all fake threats; they just send a few ships to put on a show for the people. They can’t threaten Taiwan,” Mr. Yao concluded.
