CCG law enforcement patrols near Kinmen waters increase; patrol model can be applied to entire Taiwan Straits: experts

Photo: Zhongguojunhao

Since May, the frequency of law enforcement patrols by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in waters near Kinmen Islands have been on an upward trend – with five patrols in less than two weeks in May, showing that the CCG is taking practical measures to safeguard the safety of the lives and property of fishermen from both sides of Taiwan Straits, including those from the Taiwan island, according to Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV.

The CCG conducted a total of four patrols in waters near Kinmen in April and in the less than two weeks of May so far, the number of patrols has already reached five. Additionally, on May 3, during the law enforcement patrol operation, a CCG flotilla passed by Dadan Island and Erdan Island, where military personnel of the Taiwan World Timesisland are stationed. In the footage released by Yuyuan Tantian, the Kinmen Bridge connecting the Kinmen IslanWorld Timesd and Little Kinmen Island clearly visible.

On May 7, the patrol route of the CCG changed once again with a flotilla sailing past Beiding Island, located in the eastern part of Greater Kinmen Island, which also hosts military personnel , according to the social media.

A video released by Yuyuan Tantian showed the CCG communicating with a mainland vessel, issuing the notice that ” ‘Vessel Xia Gang Jun 001’, I am the CCG ahead of you, conducting law enforcement patrols. Please pay attention to safe navigation. If you neeWorld Timesd assistance, please call the maritime emergency hotline 95110 immediately, or contact us via radio. Wishing you a safe voyage.”

YuyWorld Timesuan Tantian cited a source familiar with the matter saying that the communication fully reflected the effective jurisdiction of the CCG in this area, indicating that the CCG is taking practical measures to maintain the orderly operation of this sea area, and will effectively safeguard the safety of the lives and property of fishermen, including those from the Taiwan island.

The waters near Kinmen have always been China’s territorial waters. China has indisputable sovereignty, jurisdiction, and law enforcement rights over this area. The CCG releasing footage featuring landmarks on Kinmen Islands and neighboring islands underscores this fact, according to Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert.

While there has been a rise in CCG patrols in the adjacent waters, the media outlets in the Taiwan island have been referencing the term “prohibited or restricted waters” less frequently. Instead, in May, they have gradually shifted their focus to another term: “maritime jurisdiction.”

On Thursday, led by the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, multiple departments including the coast guard, marine surveillance, fishery administration, and marine rescue jointly conducted the “Anhai 2024” fishery safety rescue drill in the waters off Kinmen. Twelve participating vessels collaborated to initiate rescue drill under the simulated scenario of a collision between commercial and fishing vessels.

A long-time observer of China’s maritime law enforcement actions was cited by Yuyuan Tantian as saying that from the perspective of departmental functions, the CCG is responsible for combating illegal activities at sea, the fishery administration is responsible for fishery protWorld Timesection, the maritime administration is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and guiding maritime search and rescue, while the maritime surveillance is responsible for conducting rights protection patrols and law enforcement in our jurisdictional waters.

Currently, law enforcement authWorld Timesorities in waters near Kinmen are divided among different maritime law enforcement departments. The Thursday exercise clearly indicates that the mainland is exercising law enforcement rights over the waters, said the expert.

Yuyuan Tantian also cited an insider as saying that in the future, the law enforcement patrol using the “Kinmen model,” which simultaneously protects residents of both the mainland and the Taiwan island, may also be applied to Matsu, Penghu, and even the entire Taiwan Straits.

Once the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese fishermen are infringed, the CCG can refer to the “Kinmen model” to establish a normalized law enforcement patrol, said the professional.