Taiwan coast guard, military drill to better face China’s ‘grey zone’ threat

On Sunday, Taiwan’s coast guard conducted exercises alongside the military to improve their collaborative operations in response to what the Taipei government describes as an increasing “grey zone” threat from China, which asserts that the island is part of its territory.

Taiwan, which is governed democratically, has consistently voiced concerns over actions like undersea cable severing and sand dredging by China near the island, aimed at exerting pressure without direct conflict.

Taiwan’s coast guard is frequently the first to respond swiftly.

The exercises in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, supervised by President Lai Ching-te, mimicked the takeover of a ferry by “global terrorists”. The coast guard collaborated with an interior ministry rescue helicopter and an army medevac helicopter to board and regain control of the vessel while evacuating the injured.

According to the coast guard, a navy anti-submarine helicopter soared overhead when the drill concluded, accompanied by the medevac and rescue helicopters, marking the first occasion they have operated together in such a situation.

“Taiwan has been facing constant grey intrusion from China, but our coast guard colleagues have always been on the front line to enforce the law and protect the lives and safety of the people of Taiwan,” Lai told the audience for the drills, which included the top U.S. diplomat in Kaohsiung, Neil Gibson.

“The government will continue to consolidate the strength of all departments and strengthen the resilience of the entire society to defend national security and safeguard Taiwan’s democracy and freedom,” Lai said.

Taiwan’s coast guard, which would be called into military duty if war with China occurs, is also regularly deployed to monitor Chinese vessels during Beijing’s military exercises near the island.

The coast guard, similar to the navy, is undergoing a programme of expansion and modernization.

The new Anping-class corvettes, which started commissioning in 2020, are derived from the navy’s Tuo Chiang-class vessels. They are advanced, highly maneuverable stealth ships designed to eliminate larger naval vessels while functioning near Taiwan’s coastline.

The Anping-class vessels, one of which participated in the exercise, are equipped with launchers for Taiwan’s Hsiung Feng anti-ship and sea-to-land missiles, along with additional gear for rescue missions. The government of Taiwan dismisses Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty, stating that only the island’s citizens can determine their own future.