Taiwan Expels Chinese Fishing Boats Near Pratas Islands
Taiwan Coast Guard uses water cannons to expel Chinese fishing vessels from restricted waters near the Pratas Islands.
In a significant escalation of maritime enforcement, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has successfully expelled two Chinese fishing vessels that had illegally entered Taiwan-controlled waters near the Pratas Islands.
Detection and Confrontation in Restricted Waters
The incident unfolded on Thursday morning when maritime surveillance detected an unidentified vessel approximately 15.5 nautical miles northeast of Pratas Island. This detection placed the craft roughly 5.5 nautical miles inside Taiwan's prohibited maritime zones.
The CGA immediately dispatched the Yunlin patrol vessel to investigate the intrusion. By 3:00 PM, the patrol crew located two specific Chinese fishing boats—the Yue Hui Dong Yu 75066 and the Jin Sha—operating approximately 27 nautical miles east of Pratas Island, placing them eight nautical miles deep within restricted waters.
Water Cannons Deployed to Enforce Boundaries
According to reports, the Yunlin issued multiple warnings to the vessels, ordering them to exit the prohibited zone. While the Yue Hui Dong Yu complied and sailed away, the Jin Sha refused to leave the area.
Following standard operating procedures for managing unauthorized maritime activity, the Coast Guard took the following steps to remove the non-compliant vessel:
- Initial Warning: Repeated verbal commands to vacate the area.
- First Water Cannon Deployment: A 30-second burst of water from a distance of 200 metres.
- Second Water Cannon Deployment: After the vessel failed to move, the Yunlin approached more closely and sprayed water for an additional 90 seconds.
The CGA emphasized that these low-lethality measures are part of the standard protocol used to protect Taiwan's maritime boundaries without escalating to lethal force.
Resolution and Humanitarian Aid
Despite the confrontational nature of the encounter, the situation concluded with a humanitarian gesture. After the enforcement action, the crew of the Jin Sha requested assistance, prompting the Coast Guard to provide them with 35 hot meals.
Once the situation was stabilized, the Yunlin towed the vessel out of the restricted waters. Early the following morning, the Chinese boat was officially handed over to a Chinese work vessel.
Rising Maritime Tensions
This latest encounter underscores the persistent and growing maritime tensions between Taiwan and China. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Taiwan in enforcing its maritime boundaries and managing unauthorized Chinese activity near its controlled territories.