On Monday (November 6th), Taiwan's National Security Director, Cai Mingyan, stated that the Taiwan Coast Guard is still dispatching ships to the disputed waters of the South China Sea to conduct routine cruises on the largest island under Taiwan's actual control, Taiping Island. In the future, larger ships will also be deployed to Taiping Island.
On the same day, Cai Mingyan attended the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee of the Taiwan Legislative Yuan to review the National Security Bureau's 2024 budget and prepare for questioning. He made the above statement in response to the legislator's question.
Taiping Island is not only the largest natural island in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, but also the only island with freshwater. Taiping Island has always been controlled by Taiwan, and there are currently about 200 people stationed on this island. At the same time, Chinese Mainland, Vietnam and the Philippines all claimed the sovereignty of Taiping Island.
According to Taiwanese media reports, the US Navy destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) conducted a "free sailing" in the South China Sea last Friday, passing through waters twelve nautical miles around Taiping Island. At this time, a Chinese Navy destroyer also appeared in the same waters and engaged in a standoff with US Navy vessels.
According to reports, according to monitoring the International Maritime Emergency Communication Channel, US and Chinese naval vessels have shouted to each other, but there has been no conflict.
Kuomintang legislator Jiang Qichen expressed concern during questioning about the imminent approach of US and Chinese naval vessels to Taiping Island. He also mentioned that the confrontation between US and Chinese ships can be witnessed on Taiping Island, so he is particularly concerned about unpredictable gunfire between both sides.
Cai Mingyan pointed out in response that the NSA had analyzed the local activities of Chinese Mainland in Taiping Island, Nansha, and formulated various response plans including high, medium and low intensity situations.
The Maritime Inspection Administration still has plans for regular patrols, and currently larger ships will be deployed to Taiping Island, which should be able to stabilize regional affairs, "Taiwan's China Times quoted Cai Mingyan as saying.
Another Kuomintang legislator, Chen Yixin, pointed out that US and Chinese warships appeared simultaneously near 12 nautical miles of Taiping Island. Although they did not enter the 6000 meter restricted waters of Taiping Island, he was concerned about whether the PLA warships entered 12 nautical miles and why US and Chinese warships appeared simultaneously in the waters near Taiping Island.
The positions of the relevant ships are fully understood. If they enter 12 nautical miles, they will be notified to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for appropriate handling, "Taiwan's Central News Agency quoted Cai Mingyan as saying.
Taiping Island was once stationed by the Taiwanese military, and well trained marines were also stationed on Taiping Island. However, the marines later withdrew, and currently Taiping Island is guarded and managed by the Maritime Patrol Administration.
Legislator Jiang Qichen asked Cai Mingyan again, "Why is there a Marine Corps stationed in Dongsha, but not considering Taiping Island in Nansha
Cai Mingyan responded that the return of the Marine Corps to defend Taiping Island requires an overall evaluation and action to be taken based on the actual situation.
If the situation is not right, any action may also become an indicator of rising regional tension, and it must be carefully evaluated, "said Cai Mingyan.
He stated that the National Security Bureau will evaluate the actual situation in the South China Sea and provide opinions and suggestions to relevant government units for reference.