China Claims Calls Unclear, Coast Guard Says Vessel Communications Quality Normal

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 23) Regarding reports that China's Ministry of Natural Resources claims the communication quality of Coast Guard vessels is poor and that calls are unclear, the Coast Guard Administration stated today that this is inconsistent with the facts. Coast Guard vessels are equipped with maritime communication equipment that meets International Maritime Organization standards, and communication quality testing is normal.

The Ocean Affairs Council Coast Guard Administration issued a press release this afternoon stating that the media report claiming "China's Ministry of Natural Resources' East China Sea Ecology Center says the communication quality of Coast Guard vessels is poor and calls cannot be heard" is inconsistent with the facts. The administration sternly refutes China's illegal maritime surveys and its malicious distortion of facts, engaging in related cognitive warfare tactics.

The Coast Guard Administration explained that it had previously used joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance methods to closely monitor the movements of China's research vessel "Xiangyanghong 22" throughout the entire process. The "Xiangyanghong 22" vessel sailed back and forth within Taiwan's exclusive economic zone, harassing and using the guise of scientific investigation to pursue hegemonic expansion.

At 8 p.m. on the 18th, when the "Xiangyanghong 22" was located 41 nautical miles east of Hualien, Taiwan (14 nautical miles outside the restricted waters), the Coast Guard vessel "Lanyu" sailed alongside to monitor it and broadcast a warning to the "Xiangyanghong 22": "This is the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of China. You do not have any sovereign rights or jurisdiction in this sea area. Your actions have violated international conventions and other regulations. I demand that you leave immediately." The "Xiangyanghong 22" then immediately increased its speed to 15 knots and continued to sail north, departing the area.

The Coast Guard Administration stated that it sternly refutes the Chinese side's claim, made several days later, that "communication quality is poor and calls cannot be heard at all." Coast Guard vessels are equipped with maritime communication equipment that meets International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, and communication quality testing is normal.

Furthermore, during recent broadcasts to drive away harassing Chinese Coast Guard vessels, Coast Guard vessels even engaged in radio exchanges with Chinese Coast Guard ships, strongly defending Taiwan's sovereignty. The false statements made by China's Ministry of Natural Resources are self-defeating.

The Coast Guard Administration emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country, and it does not subordinate itself to the People's Republic of China. In accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Taiwan possesses sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone east of Taiwan. China's attempts to harass Taiwan through maritime navigation or scientific research surveys cannot change this undeniable fact.

The Coast Guard Administration stated that it will continue to take all necessary measures to forcefully drive away Chinese vessels harassing Taiwan's waters, firmly defend national sovereignty, and ensure the safety of Taiwan's maritime areas. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150623

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