Ministry of National Defense: Number of Chinese warships encroaching on Taiwan Strait increases, operational areas expand

(CNA) -- Regarding the activities of Chinese vessels around the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated that since August 2022, Chinese warships have been regularly conducting combat readiness patrols in waters around Taiwan. The number of daily patrols has increased from 3-4 vessels to 6-7 vessels. The significant increase in the number of Chinese vessels and ships has also led to a notable expansion of their operational areas.

The Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee invited representatives from the MND, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Coast Guard Administration, and Mainland Affairs Council to report on "Response Measures to Regular Patrols by Chinese Vessels in Our Maritime Areas" on July 1, and to be questioned. The MND submitted written reports to the legislative members' offices today.

Regarding the regular combat readiness patrols by Chinese warships, the MND pointed out that since August 2022, Chinese warships have been routinely conducting combat readiness patrols in waters around Taiwan. The number of daily patrols has increased from 3-4 vessels to 6-7 vessels. In conjunction with their so-called "joint combat readiness patrols," they have directly approached Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone. At the end of December last year, during targeted military exercises against Taiwan, Chinese warships entered the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone and approached within 12 nautical miles of territorial waters, attempting to increase military deterrence against Taiwan through coercion and provocation.

Secondly, the MND explained that Chinese coast guard vessels, belonging to the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport, have repeatedly conducted what they claim to be "law enforcement patrols" in the Taiwan Strait. Chinese coast guard ships, belonging to the People's Armed Police, have been entering restricted waters such as Kinmen and Matsu since February 2024 under the guise of rights protection patrols, harassing the area and gradually expanding their patrol zones to the median line of the Taiwan Strait, Dongsha, and the southwestern waters. This has become a new normal for gray zone harassment. In June of this year, taking advantage of the Japan-Philippines exclusive economic zone negotiations, they deployed coast guard vessels to waters east of Taiwan, intending to create a "Taiwan Strait internalization" scenario.

The MND mentioned that Chinese scientific research and hydrographic survey vessels, under the guise of "marine scientific research," navigate in waters around Taiwan and even beyond the first island chain, conducting long-term missions such as hydrological data collection and battlefield preparation.

The MND analyzed that the regular patrols by various types of Chinese vessels around the Taiwan Strait have shifted from early military intimidation to a model of "law enforcement packaging, joint military-police operations, and maritime encroachment," attempting to confuse international public opinion with false pretenses such as "Taiwan Strait internalization."

Regarding the response measures by the national military, the MND stated that they are closely monitoring maritime and aerial dynamics and coordinating responses with the Coast Guard. They have incorporated the regular patrol actions of Chinese vessels into gray zone response scenarios, integrating them with immediate combat readiness drills, joint defense exercises, Han Kuang exercises, rigorous training, and Hai An exercises to conduct scenario drills.

The MND emphasized that the drills focus on rapid response and the operation of command and coordination mechanisms. In addition to verifying the national military's and Coast Guard's maritime response capabilities, protection of maritime traffic lines, and joint operational capabilities, they aim to demonstrate maritime response effectiveness and deterrence, thereby enhancing response efficiency. They also combine strategic communication to showcase the determination and capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150629

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