TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) said Wednesday the agency will help the Coast Guard develop a coastal surveillance system to counter Beijing’s growing grayzone tactics.

Tsai told lawmakers that China’s maritime harassment is intensifying, with recent stowaway cases potentially part of a broader strategy to probe Taiwan’s coastal defenses, per CNA. The NSB is reviewing whether these incidents are state-orchestrated.

During a legislative budget review, DPP Lawmakers Lo Mei-ling (羅美玲) and Chen Chun-yu (陳俊宇) raised concerns over the frequency of Chinese nationals landing on Taiwan’s shores. They questioned whether Beijing was using such incidents to test Taiwan’s vulnerability to infiltration.

Tsai noted a recent interception near Kinmen’s Erdan Island, where thermal imaging technology helped foil an illegal landing attempt by two Chinese men. He said this demonstrated the importance of upgrading surveillance capabilities.

However, KMT Legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) criticized security agencies for failing to prevent landings in sensitive areas. She questioned the effectiveness of surveillance tools acquired since 2016.

Tsai responded that Coast Guard resources were concentrated on Taiwan’s offshore islands, where dinghy landings were more likely. He said the Coast Guard will be required to submit a plan to close existing defense gaps.