Chinese Small Boats on Taiwan Are a New Source of Concern

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

China has long sought to intimidate Taiwan with its massive navy, air force and the world's largest standing army, but it's mere dinghies that are now causing the most consternation.

Posted by LampLighter at 03:30 PM | 10 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defenses, President Lai Ching-te said Tuesday as he completed one year in office.

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-- NBC News (@nbcnews.com) May 20, 2025 at 6:45 AM

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More from the article ...

... Taiwan's coast guard has documented five cases totaling 38 Chinese citizens crossing the 160-kilometer (100-mile) wide Taiwan Strait separating the self-governing island democracy from the authoritarian Chinese mainland, according to the body's deputy director-general Hsieh Ching-chin.

That includes at least one case posted to Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, in which a man speaking with a strong mainland Chinese accent is seen planting a Chinese flag on what he says is a Taiwanese beach. Scenes in the background appear to show a stretch of coastline south of the capital Taipei.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be conquered by force if necessary. The man has not been found or publicly identified, and Taiwanese authorities are seeking to ascertain whether he received help from anyone on the island.

Another case involved a father and son who were apprehended shortly after reaching land, along with a man who came ashore at a fishing port in a popular tourist area north of Taipei.

The small size of the boats, some just inflatables for having fun at the beach, makes it difficult for Taiwan's radar to pick them up. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-05-20 07:34 PM | Reply

@#1 ... The small size of the boats, some just inflatables for having fun at the beach, makes it difficult for Taiwan's radar to pick them up. ...

Perhaps, that was the purpose. ... To probe Taiwan's defense capability?

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-05-20 07:35 PM | Reply

Imagine how much your Social Credit score goes up for live streaming a 1 person invasion of Taiwan.

#3 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-05-21 04:05 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

China timed the incursion to embarrass Taiwan's leader who was celebrating the one year anniversary of his administration.

These rafts are difficult to detect as pointed out, but China also has maritime drones which they can use for surveillance and intelligence collection without risking human life. One such spy drone was found off the waters of the Philippines a few months ago.

Sources:

www.taiwannews.com.tw

www.newsweek.com

#4 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-05-21 04:20 PM | Reply

An invasion or blockade of Taiwan seems imminent.

Trumpy won't lift a finger to stop them. He'll be too distracted at home.

China is just waiting for America to implode.

So it shouldn't be long now.

Betting has risen to a 12% chance.

#5 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-05-22 11:29 AM | Reply

Are you saying with Democrats spending every waking moment trying to distract as well as aid and abet China to attack Taiwan it shouldn't be long? The Dems have spent 4 years ++ putting a non-thinking, non doing, non capable President and Cabinet in charge. Oh and not to mention failing to keep our President Biden monitored and healthy with common sense. Just saying.

#6 | Posted by Robson at 2025-05-22 01:35 PM | Reply

The Dems have spent 4 years ++ putting a non-thinking, non doing, non capable President and Cabinet in charge. Oh and not to mention failing to keep our President Biden monitored and healthy with common sense. Just saying.

#6 | POSTED BY ROBSON

Blah blah fricking blah..

During the Biden administration Taiwan was not attacked.

Let's see if you will be able to say the same in four years.

Time heals all wounds. And wounds all heels.

Just saying.

#7 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-05-22 11:49 PM | Reply

@#6 ... Dems have spent 4 years ++ putting a non-thinking, non doing, non capable President and Cabinet in charge. ...

In actuality, fmr Pres Biden passed a very significant bill that aimed to bring chip manufacturing to the US.

He fought for and won bi-partisan support for the bill.

And it was passed.

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-05-22 11:59 PM | Reply

During the Biden administration Taiwan was not attacked.

Let's see if you will be able to say the same in four years.

Somehow, I think it less likely that Taiwan would be attacked under Trump, given his proven track record of leading the country as opposed to the young liberals who hijacked the Presidency making decisions with an incompacitated Biden as President.

#9 | Posted by boaz at 2025-05-23 07:50 AM | Reply

Posted by boaz at 2025-05-23 07:50 AM | Reply

ROFLMMFAO HEHEHEHEHE THAT'S HILARIOUS Boaz Giggles and stuff

#10 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-05-23 07:53 AM | Reply