Chinese Militia Boat Spotted Off Taiwan’s Pacific Coast for First Time, Report Shows

A Chinese militia boat and two other vessels were recently seen off the eastern shores of Taiwan, according to a surveillance report, marking the first sighting of such a ship in the sensitive waters.

The Minfudingyu 07902 operates as a fishing boat; however, it is a Chinese militia vessel that was spotted in August with Coast Guard Cutter 2502 and research ship Xiang Yang Hong 03, raising suspicions.

China has increased its maritime activities, including patrols around Taiwan’s east coast since June, an act which the island nation calls part of Beijing’s strategy to exert pressure on the government and establish a maritime blockade to give in to Chinese demands.

For this purpose, China has been using both civilian, military and even paramilitary assets. Taiwanese officials said that Beijing is using scientific research, exploration, surveys and other patrols as an excuse to operate in the island’s waters, over which China claims sovereignty.

Such activities, the Ministry of National Defense stated, undermine international law, rulings and challenge Taiwan’s maritime rights.

Therefore, Taiwan is actively monitoring the Chinese vessels’ movement, and even the Coast Guard is on alert. The practice of using maritime militia goes back to the 90s and was seen around shoals in the disputed South China Sea.

This comprised fishing vessels whose crew members were given training and support to conduct missions in contested waters, alongside the Coast Guard vessels.

Defense analysts said that the militia fleet helped China assert maritime dominance while looking civilian, therefore harmless.

A Taiwanese official said that the three vessels were sailing in an area which was not commonly used by Chinese ships. An aircraft operated by Apex Aviation found Chinese vessels over 30 nautical miles off Hualien’s shores.

The plane patrolled the area, and this shows Taiwan’s efforts to bring civilian companies into the security initiative to counter China. However, the company said that its patrols are independent and not carried out for the government.