Chinese Militia Boat Detected Off Taiwan’s East Coast for the First Time

A Chinese maritime militia boat has been detected off Taiwan’s eastern coast for the first known time, alongside a coast guard cutter and research ship, in waters Taipei considers vital for receiving supplies during a conflict.

A surveillance report from Taiwan’s Apex Aviation, reviewed by Reuters, identified the fishing vessel Minfudingyu 07902 during a mid-August patrol.

The company’s reconnaissance aircraft recorded the group more than 30 nautical miles from Hualien.

The sighting comes as Beijing broadens its presence on Taiwan’s Pacific flank.

Chinese coast guard patrols have become regular there since June, while Taiwanese officials suspect the overlapping deployment of military, paramilitary and civilian vessels is preparation for a possible blockade.

Taiwan Links Vessel to Harassment

Two senior Taiwanese officials confirmed that the Minfudingyu, a coast guard cutter 2502, and research ship Xiang Yang Hong 03 were near the island in mid-August.

One said authorities had identified the fishing boat as belonging to the People’s Liberation Army’s maritime militia and linked its activity to Chinese coast guard harassment drills.

“The purpose of militia boats is to conduct substantive harassment,” the official said.

The second official said the vessels entered waters Chinese ships rarely use and were under closer surveillance. Both officials asked to remain anonymous because the matter was sensitive.

Taiwan’s defense ministry accused Beijing of using policing and research activity to extend its operational reach without open conflict and give the appearance of jurisdiction.

The ministry said such deployments challenge Taiwan’s maritime rights and the international order.

It added that the military, along with other agencies, including the coast guard, was monitoring Chinese activity.

China’s defense ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment.

Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory; Taipei rejects that claim.

Sighting Leaves Missions Unclear

Apex documented the vessels through radar images, infrared footage, and automatic-identification system records.

It withheld the exact patrol date, citing concerns that counter-reconnaissance targeting could compromise its operations.

The company’s defense and security director, Honor Hung, said the three vessels were dispersed within a 10-nautical-mile radius.

He cautioned that a single surveillance observation could not establish their missions or whether they were coordinating.

That qualification limits what the patrol itself demonstrates, even as Taiwanese officials attribute a harassment role to the militia boat.

China’s maritime militia draws on fishing crews that receive training and support for operations in contested waters, frequently accompanying coast guard vessels.

The practice dates to the 1950s and is more commonly seen around disputed areas of the South China Sea.

Analysts say the fleet allows Beijing to press maritime claims through vessels that retain a civilian appearance.

Civilian Surveillance Expands

Apex, whose business includes charter flights and pilot training, conducts the patrols independently rather than on behalf of Taiwan’s government.

Its work nevertheless reflects Taipei’s push to involve civilian companies in capabilities relevant to its “whole of society resilience” initiative.

The company operates a light civilian aircraft fitted with U.S.-made radar that can detect surface objects as small as 900 square centimeters.