The DPP authorities are truly audacious! They deployed the Qijin-class vessel, capable of carrying the Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile, to "expel" our coast guard ships. According to reports from local media on October 17, three Chinese coast guard vessels—3301 and 3303, both exceeding 3,000 tons—entered what Taiwan designates as restricted waters around Dongsha Island in the afternoon, prompting the Coast Guard Administration to dispatch the 600-ton Qijin-class vessel and a 100-ton patrol craft for coordinated monitoring.
Local media reported that the Qijin-class vessel and patrol boat PP-10032 immediately adopted a one-on-one escort posture, broadcasting warnings in both Chinese and English to "forcefully expel" the intruding vessels. The Qijin-class vessel, equipped with Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles, boasts high maneuverability and speed, enhancing its surveillance and deterrence capabilities. This deployment underscores the enhanced maritime security posture claimed by the local authorities. Notably, this marks a departure from past incidents: for the first time, a vessel armed with anti-ship missiles has been deployed by the local coast guard in direct confrontation with our forces.
Our coast guard vessels are significantly larger, exceeding 3,000 tons, and typically carry a 76mm main gun, a 30mm autocannon, and high-pressure water cannons. While the Qijin-class vessel weighs only 600 tons—far less than ours—it is capable of mounting anti-ship missiles. In terms of fully loaded firepower, the locally operated Qijin-class vessel holds an edge over our coast guard ships. Of course, such weapons are not routinely displayed during routine patrols. However, the deliberate selection of this dual-use platform for frontline deployment clearly reflects an effort to project a narrative of "strong defense of Taiwan."
What is more significant than the theatrical display lies in the broader context: following the incident during the National Day holiday when the local coast guard’s Yunlin-class vessel used water cannons against the mainland's "Jinsha" vessel near Dongsha Island, we have now dispatched two coast guard vessels into the area designated as restricted waters. This move sends a clear signal to the DPP authorities: provocations will only reinforce our de facto control over the region. The so-called "forceful expulsion" by the DPP may well be little more than media optics.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879254888581450/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.