Chinese ships breach Taiwan's restricted waters
Illustrative photo: Chinese ships entering Taiwan's restricted waters (Getty Images)
Several Chinese Chinese coast guard ships passed through "restricted waters" near the Matsu Islands. The Taiwanese Coast Guard responded to this incident, according to Focus Taiwan.
As media reports, four Chinese coast guard ships entered Taiwan-controlled "restricted waters" near the Matsu Islands. This occurred following the announcement by the People's Liberation Army of China of the start of the Joint Sword-2024B drills around Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Coast Guard stated that they detected two Chinese coast guard ships west of Nangan Island and another two north of Dongyin Island. Subsequently, the Chinese ships entered the restricted waters near Matsu, prompting Taiwan to dispatch four patrol vessels to track and pursue the intruders.
This year, it is the 44th time that China has violated the waters controlled by Taiwan near its outlying islands. In response, Taiwan has formed a special task force to deal with "abnormal" actions by the Chinese coast guard.
Taiwan’s response
According to a representative of a Taiwanese security service, China is practicing blocking the island's ports and international shipping routes, as well as repelling potential foreign military intervention.
On October 13, Taiwan reported that a Chinese aircraft carrier group was heading south through the Bashi Channel. In May, China conducted the Joint Sword-2024A exercises around Taiwan after Lai’s inauguration, calling them "punishment" for separatist statements.
It was also reported that at the end of September, Taiwan declared full combat readiness due to China's ballistic missile launches.
