According to Taiwan's "Central News Agency" report on July 11, Taiwan's "Coastal Patrol Administration" stated that it received a report from Taiwan's marine academic research vessel "Haiyan No. 1" at about 8 o'clock yesterday evening: While conducting research in the waters surrounding Zhejiang Province on the mainland, due to The Chinese official ship was concerned about the slowdown of the ship due to mechanical failure. After communication between the two parties, the ship is now returning safely.
"Haiyan No. 1" is currently managed and operated by the "Shipping Office of the Institute of Oceanography" of National Taiwan University. It has carried out more than a thousand detection missions so far, including marine scientific research, energy exploration, "land survey", and assisting in the search for wrecks in the sea area. Machinery and vessels, supporting the deployment of marine and meteorological data buoys and student maritime internship courses, etc. Because the ship is 32 years old, "Haiyan No. 1" often breaks down and is in urgent need of replacement.
Haiyan No. 1
National Taiwan University revealed more details. According to Taiwan's "China Times" citing National Taiwan University, the two sides first talked via radio. The Chinese side once wanted to board the ship for inspection, but later gave up due to bad weather. Finally, they agreed to leave at around 9 p.m.
National Taiwan University chief secretary Lin Dade said that "Haiyan No. 1" is owned by the "Ministry of Science and Technology" and usually entrusts National Taiwan University to manage and execute research plans; this time it went to sea for an integrated plan of the "Ministry of Science and Technology", and the ship included National Taiwan University, Zhongshan , Hai University and other researchers.
As for the reason for China's concern, it is rumored that the "Haiyan No. 1" crossed the border into China's waters and was therefore locked and detained by China's official ships. However, according to Taiwan's "United Daily News", the "Coast Patrol Administration" stated that according to the information they received, the "Haiyan No. 1" was not detained, and whether it crossed the border still needs to be verified.
Taiwan's "Director of the Department of Natural Sustainability of the Ministry of Science and Technology" Chen Yugao said that "Haiyan No. 1" goes to the East China Sea every year to conduct seawater sampling and investigation and analysis. This sea area belongs to the territorial waters of both sides of the Taiwan Strait and should not cross the border.
Chen Yugao further introduced the situation at the time. There were 37 people on the "Haiyan No. 1". As soon as the incident occurred, the crew on board notified the "Ministry of Science and Technology" and the Coast Guard unit via satellite phone, and soon the situation was resolved. , all personnel are safe.
At present, according to the "Coast Patrol Administration", "Haiyan No. 1" is sailing back at a low speed with another main engine, and the "Coast Patrol Administration" has also dispatched frigates to meet up.
In fact, this is not the first time that Taiwan’s research ship has encountered concerns from the mainland during its operations. According to Taiwan's "Liberty Times" report, Chen Yugao pointed out that similar situations have occurred several times, but they have not caused conflicts. As for why he was concerned this time, Chen Yugao said that the crew did not clearly explain it on the satellite phone and would conduct a detailed investigation after returning to Taiwan. At the same time, Chen Yugao emphasized that he had reminded "Haiyan No. 1" to keep a low profile and be cautious during its mission in the next five days to avoid causing other situations.
The most recent time "Haiyan No. 1" encountered similar concerns was in May this year. According to Taiwan's Dongsen News, on the afternoon of May 4, the "Haiyan No. 1" was interfered by a Japanese Coast Guard official ship while conducting research off San Diaojiao. The "Coast Patrol Administration" quickly dispatched the "Nantou Ship" to patrol. "Deputy Director of the Coast Guard" Gong Guangyu said in the "Legislative Yuan" that "the 'Nantou Ship' arrived at the sea off San Diaojiao at about 5 pm on the 4th, and the situation was not resolved until 3 a.m. on the 5th, and the 'Nantou Ship' also continued to "Performing the original mission."
At that time, the "United Daily News" quoted Chen Yugao as saying that the waters between Taiwan and Japan were in an awkward position, and the research areas had not yet agreed on a clear scope like the fishery. In recent years, Japan has often encountered similar situations as its claims on maritime areas have become stronger. Chen Yugao also said that there is no big problem for the time being, but the division needs to be clearly defined in the future, and the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" will hold talks with the Japanese side at the appropriate time.
It is understood that although the Taiwan Strait belongs to China's territorial waters, in order to avoid conflicts, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have mutually agreed to a "red line", which is the so-called central line of the strait. At present, the central line of the Strait is divided into two types used by the Air Force and the Navy: the former is a line connecting 27 degrees north latitude and 122 degrees east longitude to 23 degrees north latitude and 118 degrees east longitude; the latter is a line between 26 degrees 30 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 23 east longitude. It is divided into 23 degrees 17 minutes north latitude and 117 degrees 51 minutes east longitude, with a certain bend in the middle (24 degrees 50 minutes north latitude and 119 degrees 59 minutes east longitude).
Source: Observer.com
