Taiwanese national security officials have arrested a former Chinese Navy captain for sailing a speedboat into a Taipei harbor, amid concerns Beijing may be testing Taiwan’s maritime defences.
The speedboat pilot, identified by the surname of Ruan, said he was seeking freedom—a claim that Minister Kuan Bi-ling of the Ocean Affairs Council said will be probed thoroughly.
“We often encounter such claims of desiring Taiwanese life and freedom, but we approach them cautiously,” said Ms. Kuan at a press conference on June 11. “We will investigate from all angles. Based on past cases, this could potentially be a test of our maritime defenses.”
Ms. Kuan said the Coast Guard made critical operational misjudgments in handling the incident. Initially detected six nautical miles from Tamsui on June 9, Mr. Ruan’s boat was mistaken at first for a local fishing vessel. Identification challenges persisted as the vessel approached, resulting in a 30-minute delay before interception. Ms. Kuan attributed this delay to human error and stressed the need for enhanced coastal surveillance amid ongoing challenges from potential Chinese probes.
Since last year, Taiwan has discovered 18 such incidents, mostly on offshore islands, with over half successfully intercepted, often relying on fishing vessels and civilian reports, Ms. Kuan said. However, this time, the vessel was near a port just 10 minutes from Taipei by boat.
Ms. Kuan emphasized the need for seasoned personnel at key ports. She suggested the Coast Guard increase their aerial capabilities, such as using fixed-wing aircraft or drones to quickly identify suspicious vessels.
She said Mr. Ruan had deleted the navigational records but the remaining data, including speed, distance, and fuel usage, suggested a direct route, which is likely also a route used by the Chinese to test the feasibility of direct navigation with small boats.
Enhanced Security
Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai addressed public concerns, confirming judicial and administrative investigations to determine responsibility and ensure accountability. He ordered immediate strengthening of protective measures and stressed that national security can’t afford lapses. Mr. Cho pledged to augment personnel and upgrade equipment to fortify law enforcement capabilities and pledged detailed reports.“We will collaborate closely with the Coast Guard to review this incident promptly and bolster defenses accordingly,” affirmed Mr. Koo.
