Defense News

In order to protect the maritime sovereignty of Taiwan, and implement the government policy of “The operating waters of Taiwanese Fishing Boats should be protected by Coast Guard Ships while the waters patrolled by Coast Guard Ships should be supported by Navy Ships”, the Ministry of National Defense incorporated the Banchao Battleship, Tamkang Battleship, 2 Kuang Hua Class-VI missile boats from the Navy, and 1 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft and 1 S-70C helicopter from the Air Force to coordinate joint fishery operation protection drill together with the Coast Guard and the Airborne Corps so as to demonstrate the determination of the government in protecting maritime sovereignty and the capability in protecting fishery operations.

The exercise drill includes the banning of foreign fishing ships operating in the economic waters of Taiwan, pursuing of unidentified armed boats harassing Taiwanese fishing ships, anti-hostage and rescue operations. The focus of these drills is to ensure the command, management, and communication between the Navy and the Coast Guard ships to fully demonstrate the cooperation synergy of different departments in the protection of maritime security and law enforcement.

Protecting maritime boundary, defending sovereignty and the protection of fishermen safety is the common mission of both Navy and Coast Guard forces. In future, both Coast Guard and Navy will continue to abide by the principle of “Protecting of Fishermen by Coast Guard while Navy Offers Support”. At the same time, both Coast Guard and Navy forces will also abide by regulations such as “United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea”, “Coast Guard Act”, and “The Fisheries Act” during the conducting of marine operations to serve as the strong shield for fishermen.