Kinmen Intrusion: A Taiwanese Island on Alert Amidst PLA Exercises

Authorities Investigate Illegal Entry as China Escalates Military Presence

Taipei, Taiwan – April 1st, 2024 – The illegal entry of a Chinese national into the Taiwanese-controlled Kinmen County has triggered a probe, raising concerns about potential gray zone tactics ahead of China's military exercises encircling Taiwan.

The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has issued a warning, suggesting the incident might be connected to the ongoing tensions. According to a statement, CGA personnel on Kinmen spotted the individual in a rubber dinghy attempting to land illegally at 6:49 a.m. – just moments before the People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced the start of its joint exercises at 7:30 a.m.

Authorities intercepted the individual and the vessel for investigation. Subsequently, radar detected four China Coast Guard vessels in Taiwan's restricted waters near the Matsu Islands' Xiyin and Wuqiu islets around 8 a.m., prompting the CGA to deploy patrol vessels to monitor the situation.

Chen Tai-an (陳代安), deputy chief of the Kinmen CGA group, in a recorded statement, noted that authorities "do not rule out a potential connection between the event and China's military exercises, which could even be part of them." The case has been transferred to Kinmen prosecutors for further investigation.

The CGA statement emphasized China's use of hybrid tactics in its gray-zone operations and military exercises around Taiwan. The agency vowed to maintain high alert.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-run broadcaster CCTV reported, citing PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Shi Yi (施毅), that the drills involve army, navy, air, and rocket forces "closing in" on Taiwan from multiple directions. Details about the duration or specific focus areas of the exercises were not provided.