TAIWAN-MARITIME-COAST GUARD
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration stated that eight Japanese Coast Guard vessels were followed by five Chinese Coast Guard vessels in waters near Penghu while attempting to avoid Typhoon Jangmi. This incident has raised concerns about Taiwan's maritime activities and regional security. The image shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not of the actual incident.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said on Oct. 23 that five China coast guard vessels followed eight Japan Coast Guard vessels as they sought shelter in waters near Penghu to avoid Typhoon Champi. Taiwan said the Japanese vessels had acted in accordance with relevant procedures and that China should not use vessel movements during the typhoon to create the impression that it has jurisdiction over waters around Taiwan.

According to a report published Oct. 23 by Focus Taiwan, the English-language news service of the Central News Agency, the eight Japan Coast Guard vessels sailed north of the Taiwan Strait median line at 6 a.m. on Oct. 22 before reaching waters southwest of Qimei Island in Penghu. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said the location was outside the contiguous zone measured from Taiwan’s territorial sea baselines, adding that the Japanese vessels had sought shelter from the typhoon.

The Coast Guard Administration said the Japanese vessels were followed by five China coast guard vessels while sheltering from the storm. Taiwan said the Japanese vessels followed its law-enforcement procedures and urged China not to create the mistaken impression that the Taiwan Strait constitutes China’s internal waters or that China has jurisdiction over the waters in question.

The incident occurred as Typhoon Champi affected waters around Taiwan. Severe weather may force vessels to alter their routes or seek sheltered waters, but when maritime law-enforcement vessels from different countries approach or follow one another in sensitive waters, the situation can also raise diplomatic and security concerns.

The Coast Guard Administration’s account reflects Taiwan’s concerns about China’s maritime activities. China’s position on the incident should be determined from its official public statements. Publicly available information is not sufficient to establish whether the reported following operation involved broader coordination or a specific security objective.

Penghu lies in the central Taiwan Strait, and the surrounding waters are important for maritime transport, fishing and regional security. Differences among Taiwan, Japan and China over maritime law enforcement and jurisdiction have drawn attention to such incidents. It remains to be seen whether any party will lodge a formal protest and how the vessels involved will proceed after the typhoon passes.