Kinmen: A delegation from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) on Thursday toured waters off Kinmen on board a Coast Guard Administration (CGA) patrol vessel as part of a fact-finding mission to learn about Chinese activities in the Taiwan Strait.
According to Focus Taiwan, the group comprised lawmakers from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine, as well as the alliance's co-founder and executive director, Luke de Pulford. The delegation was accompanied by the alliance's Taiwan co-chairs, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Fan Yun and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Legislator Chen Gau-tzu.
The delegation embarked on their journey from Shuitou Port in Kinmen, boarding a 100-ton CGA patrol vessel and sailing north, where the Chinese city of Xiamen became visible. During the voyage, CGA officials provided insights into maritime security around Kinmen, addressing concerns about "gray-zone" activities by Chinese coast guard vessels in the area.
The delegation also observed land reclamation work for Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport on Dadeng Island, which has raised flight safety concerns due to its proximity to the Kinmen islands.
Interestingly, no Chinese coast guard vessels were observed during the patrol, as they were believed to have returned to port due to the approaching Typhoon Bavi. Following their return to Kinmen around noon, the delegation held a closed-door meeting with officials from CGA's Ninth Fleet Branch before heading back to Taiwan later that day.
Speaking to CNA, Luke de Pulford emphasized the importance of the visit, marking the first time an international parliamentary delegation participated in a Taiwanese coast guard patrol. He noted the growing international concern over peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and highlighted the significance of the visit, being the largest group of foreign lawmakers to visit Kinmen.
British lawmaker Tris Osborne echoed de Pulford's sentiments, emphasizing international support for Taiwan and the importance of standing in solidarity to protect Taiwan's territorial integrity from potential encroachments.
According to an IPAC news release, the visit provided lawmakers with a firsthand view of China's activities in the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed their commitment to peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the region.