Taiwan Expels Chinese Coast Guard Ships Amid Joint Sword-2024B Drills
On October 14, Taiwan expelled four Chinese coast guard ships that entered its restricted waters near the Matsu Islands. This incident occurred shortly after the People’s Liberation Army began its Joint Sword-2024B drills around Taiwan. Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) detected two Chinese ships near Nangan Island and two more near Dongyin Island on Monday morning.
In response to the intrusion, the CGA’s Kinmen-Matsu-Penghu Branch dispatched four patrol boats to monitor the situation. This event marked the 44th Chinese incursion into Taiwan-controlled waters this year. The CGA has formed a task force to address these “abnormal” activities, which began around 11 am.
Several Chinese ships crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, loitering near Taiwan’s coastline. The CGA deployed patrol vessels to assist the Ministry of National Defence in monitoring these activities. Additionally, CGA and Army personnel on Menghu Islet detected a suspicious target moving towards the islet early Monday. An inflatable boat carrying a Chinese citizen was intercepted, and the individual is now under investigation.
The China-Taiwan dispute revolves around Taiwan’s political status. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, while Taiwan operates as a self-governing democracy. The People’s Republic of China asserts its sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out using force for reunification. In contrast, Taiwan has embraced its distinct identity and resisted unification on Beijing’s terms.
The maritime disputes around Taiwan reflect broader geopolitical tensions, particularly involving China’s assertive claims over the South China Sea. China’s increasing military presence, including naval exercises and artificial island construction, has heightened tensions in the region.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island located in East Asia. It is a place where people live and have their own government, but China claims it as part of its country.
Chinese Coast Guard -: The Chinese Coast Guard is like a police force on the sea. They patrol the waters to make sure everything is safe and follow China’s rules.
Matsu Islands -: The Matsu Islands are a group of small islands that belong to Taiwan. They are located close to the coast of China.
Joint Sword-2024B drills -: Joint Sword-2024B drills are military exercises conducted by China. These are practice activities to prepare their military forces for any real-life situations.
Incursion -: An incursion is when someone enters a place without permission. In this case, it means the Chinese ships entered Taiwan’s waters without permission.
Task force -: A task force is a group of people who come together to solve a specific problem. Here, it means a group was formed to deal with the Chinese ships entering Taiwan’s waters.
China-Taiwan dispute -: The China-Taiwan dispute is a disagreement between China and Taiwan about whether Taiwan should be its own country or part of China.
Sovereignty -: Sovereignty means having the power to govern oneself. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, meaning they believe they have the right to control it.
Unification -: Unification means joining together to become one. In this context, it refers to China wanting Taiwan to become part of China again.
