Coast Guard Administration: Chinese Research Vessel Conducts Illegal Surveys, Fully Monitored and Forcefully Expelled

The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) stated today that it detected the Chinese research vessel "Tongji" conducting illegal activities such as seawater sampling and seabed surveys in Taiwan's waters. The CGA monitored the vessel throughout its operation and forcefully expelled it. The CGA released a statement noting that following the detection of the "Tongji" vessel deploying scientific instruments 29 nautical miles southeast of Eluanbi on the 7th, the patrol vessel "Chengkung" issued a broadcast warning to expel it. On the afternoon of the 15th, the patrol vessel "Lanyu" discovered the "Tongji" vessel illegally deploying scientific equipment 33 nautical miles east of Hualien Port (6.3 nautical miles outside the restricted waters). The "Lanyu" approached the vessel, created waves, and used searchlights to interfere, forcing the "Tongji" to retrieve its equipment and sail out of Taiwan's waters. The CGA stated that from the 15th, the vessel sailed along the edge of Taiwan's restricted waters to the waters off Hualien, returning to Xiamen Port in China on the 20th. During this period, it deployed scientific equipment such as CTD sensors and gravity corers, which the CGA believes have strategic implications for military-civil fusion and battlefield management. When the CGA patrol vessels issued broadcast warnings, the "Tongji" responded via radio with provocative remarks. The CGA patrol vessels responded sternly, stating, "This is the Republic of China; you are in our exclusive economic zone and cannot conduct any scientific research without permission. Please leave immediately." The CGA noted that China currently possesses over 120 various marine research vessels and is frequently expanding its activities in the Indo-Pacific region. The CGA has tracked approximately 41 Chinese research vessels operating around Taiwan and warns that their activity range has expanded from the first island chain to the second and even the third island chain.