TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Beijing could be behind the recent surge of Chinese nationals illegally entering Taiwan, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling  (管碧玲) said on Wednesday.

When asked if it could be part of China’s gray zone tactics, Kuan said, "We certainly do not rule that out." She said the cases are being handled by prosecutors and the Coast Guard Administration is investigating to assess whether there was any lapse in law enforcement, CNA reported.

Kuan noted that over the past two years there have been 27 illegal entries, with individuals coming from as many as 15 Chinese provinces in China. "One person per province — such a pattern is difficult to explain using ordinary political, economic, or social reasoning," she said.

She pointed out that the individuals’ testimonies and the items found on their persons followed a certain pattern, reinforcing her suspicion that it could be a CCP operation. She emphasized that this situation is part of the broader pattern of gray zone harassment, and defensive measures are necessary.

Last week, the Coast Guard detained a father and his teenage son from China after they landed on a beach in Taoyuan using a small inflatable boat. They claimed to be from Fujian Province.