(China, 7th) The Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, together with the East China Sea Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, conducted the first emergency search and rescue drill in the Taiwan Shoals.
According to China News Service, the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration and the East China Sea Rescue Bureau under the Ministry of Transport held the first emergency search and rescue drill in the Taiwan Shoals on the 6th.
The report stated that a fleet of maritime and rescue vessels subsequently launched a special law enforcement operation in the central Taiwan Strait, conducting patrols of the Taiwan Shoals and key waters in the central Taiwan Strait, busy shipping lanes, and accident-prone areas.
According to United Daily News, so far this year, warships from eight countries have transited the Taiwan Strait twelve times. With escalating tensions between China and Japan recently, and the U.S. releasing its latest National Security Strategy expressing concern over Taiwan's security, the mainland's drill on the 6th in the Taiwan Shoals (the central Taiwan Strait and the area southeast of Penghu) approaching Penghu and the main island of Taiwan, further highlights the tense situation in the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration stated that this drill was conducted west of the median line of the strait, and relevant agencies fully monitored the situation.
On the evening of the 6th, the Coast Guard Administration pointed out that the other side's drill was held west of the Taiwan Strait median line, near mainland waters. The administration used joint intelligence to monitor the situation throughout, keeping full track of the movements of mainland vessels. Currently, the surrounding sea areas of Taiwan remain normal. The Coast Guard provides round-the-clock protection of maritime safety, sovereignty, and maritime rights and interests.
Based on the drill situation, the other side's vessels operated near their own waters. Therefore, the Taiwan side observed through monitoring. Should mainland vessels cross east of the median line during the drill, interfere with Taiwanese fishing or cargo vessels, or enter Taiwan's restricted/prohibited waters, Coast Guard vessels will respond on-site.
A Coast Guard official, speaking privately, noted that while the Maritime Safety Administration also operates government vessels, its duties focus on rescue operations, making its nature relatively simple, unlike Coast Guard vessels, which serve as mainland law enforcement police and are thus more sensitive.