Taiwan’s Coast Guard has unveiled a bold strategy to counter China’s maritime aggression, turning citizens into watchdogs with cash rewards.
It looks like Taiwan is terrified that China may invade before Trump takes office.
At a Glance
- Taiwan’s coast guard offering rewards for spotting foreign military ships, especially Chinese vessels
- Rewards range from NT$3,000 for verified sightings to NT$200,000 for major crime reports
- Initiative aims to leverage public assistance in monitoring “abnormal” maritime activities
- Move comes amid increasing Chinese military presence and territorial claims around Taiwan
- Taiwan significantly outmatched militarily by China, which hasn’t ruled out using force
In a strategic move to bolster its maritime defenses, Taiwan’s coast guard has launched a rewards program encouraging citizens to report foreign military vessels, with a particular focus on Chinese ships. This initiative comes as a response to China’s increasing military presence and territorial claims around the island. The program aims to harness the observational power of local fishing communities and coastal residents to enhance Taiwan’s maritime surveillance capabilities.
The rewards system offers varying financial incentives based on the significance of the reported information. Verified sightings of foreign and Chinese military ships will earn reporters NT$3,000. For more serious matters, the rewards increase substantially: up to NT$200,000 for reporting major crimes like homicide and piracy, NT$50,000 for information on Chinese stowaways, and NT$10,000 for other foreign stowaways.
#TAIWAN: TAIWAN COAST GUARD OFFERS REWARDS FOR SPOTTING FOREIGN SHIPS
Taiwan's coast guard said Friday it will reward people who report the presence of foreign military ships, including those from China, in waters around the island, as it seeks the public's help with monitoring… pic.twitter.com/yxYVXz2a1U— MwanzoTV (@MwanzoTv) November 8, 2024
Countering China’s “Grey Zone” Tactics
Taiwan’s coast guard emphasizes the critical nature of this initiative, citing limited manpower and the need for public assistance in monitoring “abnormal maritime activities.” This approach is designed to counter what experts describe as China’s “grey zone” strategy – actions that assert control over the Taiwan Strait without engaging in open conflict.
“The Coast Guard’s manpower is limited but the people power at sea is unlimited,” Taiwan’s coast guard said.
China maintains a near-daily military presence around Taiwan, including naval and air forces. Chinese coast guard ships have occasionally entered Taiwan’s restricted waters, heightening tensions between the two sides. These actions, coupled with China’s refusal to rule out the use of force to control Taiwan, have put the island nation on high alert.
Strengthening Maritime Security Amid Rising Tensions
The rewards program is part of a broader effort to enhance Taiwan’s maritime security. In recent years, Taiwan has invested heavily in its Coast Guard, acquiring larger and more modern vessels, some of which can be armed with missiles if necessary. This modernization effort reflects the growing maritime danger and the need for increased vigilance.
The initiative comes in the wake of several incidents that have highlighted vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s maritime defenses. The Coast Guard faced criticism for failing to detect some Chinese nationals crossing the strait using small boats. In one notable case, a former Chinese naval captain was sentenced to eight months in prison for illegally entering Taiwan by boat, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance and public cooperation.
Taiwan’s coast guard is rallying its citizens to become active participants in national security. By encouraging people to “stay vigilant to abnormal maritime activities,” the government is fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the island’s defense. This approach not only enhances surveillance capabilities but also strengthens national unity in the face of external threats.
Now we’ll have to watch, wait, and see whether China has the guts to go ahead with its planned invasion before Trump takes office in a few months.
