TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Since June, 23 Chinese have entered Taiwan illegally, but two of them escaped, Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) told lawmakers Friday (Sept. 20).

The minister, whose jurisdiction includes the Coast Guard Administration, said there had been four incidents of Chinese nationals arriving in Taiwan without the required documentation. The Coast Guard detained 21 people involved in two incidents, but in two other cases, officers failed to apprehend the two suspects, per CNA.

Kuan said her ministry had opened discussions with other government department to strengthen observation capabilities at sea and in the air, including the use of uncrewed vehicles. She predicted the effort would require extensive spending.

Coast Guard officers deserved praise from the public because they performed a difficult task under tough circumstances, Kuan said. If there were mistakes, officers would face suitable disciplinary action, she added.

On Wednesday (Sept. 18), a court sentenced a former Chinese Navy officer who entered the Tamsui River by speedboat in June to eight months in prison. The Coast Guard had failed to notice him due to intense shipping traffic in the area and because of the limited size of his vessel.