A surveillance report reviewed by Reuters identified the Minfudingyu 07902, described as a militia fishing boat, operating with a Chinese coast guard cutter and a research ship off Hualien in mid-August.
A Chinese militia boat was recorded off Taiwan's Pacific coast in August, the first known sighting of such a craft in that area, Reuters reported on Thursday from a surveillance report it reviewed. The report, by Taiwan's Apex Aviation, identified the Minfudingyu 07902 as a fishing boat that also serves as a militia vessel.
The boat was seen one day in mid-August operating with Chinese coast guard cutter 2502 and the research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03, more than 30 nautical miles off Hualien, Reuters said. Two senior Taiwanese officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Reuters that the three vessels were operating near Taiwan and that the fishing boat was being tracked as part of the People's Liberation Army maritime militia.
One official said the boat was operating in coordination with Chinese coast guard drills and that militia boats are used for what the official called substantive harassment. The other said the three craft were in an area not commonly used by Chinese vessels and had been marked for closer monitoring. China regards Taiwan as its territory. Reuters said Chinese coast guard patrols off the island's east coast have been regular since June.
Analysts cited by Reuters say the militia fleet lets Beijing press maritime claims while keeping a civilian appearance. The sighting itself is from mid-August; the new development is the Thursday publication of the patrol report and the officials' confirmation.
Reuters did not quote a same-day response from Beijing in the portion of the story used here. The account relies on the Apex report and two unnamed Taiwanese officials.
People Sentiments Negative
- A Taiwanese official told Reuters the purpose of militia boats is to conduct substantive harassment.