On Monday, China made headlines by deploying one of its two gigantic coast guard vessels, often dubbed “monster ships,” during military exercises around Taiwan for the first time. This operation, named Joint Sword-2024B, took place in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, featuring a staggering 125 aircraft and 34 naval vessels, as reported by Taiwan’s military.
As part of these exercises, at least four formations of Chinese vessels were reported to be conducting “law enforcement patrols” in the waters adjacent to Taiwan. The Chinese coast guard labeled this move as a part of their efforts to enforce the one-China principle and manage the self-governing island.
Historically, the mainland of China has been under the control of the Communist Party since a civil war concluded in 1949, while Taiwan operates under its own government, the Republic of China. Both regions continue to assert their claim as the rightful government of all of China.
Among the vessels involved in the exercise was the Chinese coast guard ship with the hull number 2901, known for its massive displacement of 12,000 tons, making it one of the largest coast guard ships globally. Its sister ship, 5901, shares this distinction. By comparison, the largest Chinese destroyer, the Type 055, displaces 13,000 tons, while Taiwan’s biggest ship, the Kee Lung-class destroyer, weighs in at 9,500 tons.
The Chinese “monster ships” stretch 541 feet long and can reach top speeds exceeding 28 miles per hour. Maritime observers note their advantages in endurance, resistance to collisions, seaworthiness, and overall speed compared to regional coast guard vessels.
Notably, the state-controlled media revealed this was the first operational mission for the 2901 in the vicinity of Taiwan. Its counterpart, 5901, remains stationed in the South China Sea amid ongoing disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam.
On Saturday, ship tracking groups reported the 2901, alongside three other vessels, navigating the waters northeast of Taiwan, prompting both Taiwanese and Japanese coast guards to monitor the situation closely. Later, another formation of Chinese coast guard ships was reported conducting patrols near the outlying Taiwanese islands of Dongyin and Matsu, effectively testing rapid response and emergency readiness.
In response to these actions, the Taiwanese coast guard claimed to have successfully expelled four Chinese ships that ventured into restricted waters off the Matsu Islands, which are notably closer to mainland China.
A Pentagon report from October 2023 indicates that China possesses the largest maritime law enforcement fleet worldwide, boasting over 150 vessels over 1,000 tons, including 20 corvettes that were formerly part of its navy. The presence of the Chinese coast guard is expanding beyond regional waters into the broader Pacific, including a recent patrol in the Arctic Ocean near Alaska.