Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Chinese Militia Boat Spotted Off Taiwan’s East Coast
A report says a Chinese fishing boat that Taiwan identifies as part of a maritime militia was seen near Taiwan’s east coast.
It was travelling with a Chinese coast guard ship and a research vessel.
Taiwan says the area is important for supply routes during a possible conflict.
Taiwanese officials said the group was operating in an unusual area and was being watched.
Taiwan’s defence ministry called the activity harassment and said it challenged Taiwan’s rights at sea.
The report was based on images and tracking data collected by a private aviation company.
The company said its patrols were independent and not conducted for the government.
A surveillance report says a Chinese fishing boat identified as militia operated off Taiwan’s east coast in August.
The boat was seen with Chinese coast guard cutter 2502 and research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03.
Taiwanese officials said the three vessels were operating in an area not commonly used by Chinese vessels and were being monitored.
Taiwan’s defence ministry described such activity as harassment drills and said it challenged Taiwan’s maritime rights.
The report came from Apex Aviation, whose civilian aircraft detected the group more than 30 nautical miles from Hualien.
- Who
- A Chinese fishing boat identified by Taiwan as a maritime militia vessel, with a Chinese coast guard cutter and research vessel.
- What
- The three-vessel group was detected operating off Taiwan’s east coast.
- When
- One day in mid-August; the specific date was withheld.
- Where
- More than 30 nautical miles off Hualien, on Taiwan’s Pacific coast.
- Why
- Taiwanese officials described the activity as harassment drills; the vessels’ missions could not be determined by the surveillance tracking.
Taiwan’s concerns
Limits of available evidence
Purpose of the vessels’ activity
Taiwan’s concerns
Taiwan’s defence ministry said law-enforcement and research activity was being used as cover for harassment and to create an impression of de facto jurisdiction.
Limits of available evidence
Apex’s defence and security director said one surveillance tracking could not establish the vessels’ missions or whether they were coordinating.
Impact on Taiwan’s maritime rights
Taiwan’s concerns
Taiwan’s defence ministry said the activity undermined international order and challenged Taiwan’s maritime rights.
Limits of available evidence
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office and defence ministry did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment, so no Chinese response was included.
- Fishing boat
- Minfudingyu 07902, identified in the report as a Chinese militia vessel.
- Other vessels
- Chinese coast guard cutter 2502 and research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03.
- Detection area
- More than 30 nautical miles off Hualien.
- Detection date
- A day in mid-August; the precise date was withheld.
- Surveillance source
- Apex Aviation report using radar screenshots, infrared imagery and automatic-identification system data.
- Vessel spacing
- The three vessels were spread over roughly a 10-nautical-mile radius.
- Taiwan’s response
- Taiwan said it was tracking Chinese activity with reconnaissance tools and coordinating with other agencies, including its coast guard.