The navy yesterday was mum over whether it locked its fire control radar onto a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) warship participating in a drill in waters off Taiwan's southwestern shores, but did not deny employing such a maneuver.
The incident, involving Taiwan's Pan Chao frigate and the Chinese navy's Urumqi, a Type 052D destroyer, was reported by "Taiwan ADIZ," a civilian social media page that monitors Chinese military movements around Taiwan, which claimed to show a radio exchange between the two vessels.
Photo: CNA
According to the page, the incident took place at 3:05am yesterday, just before the Urumqi entered Taiwan's southwestern contiguous zone, which extends 24 nautical miles (14.4km) from its shores.
In the audio recording, which could not be independently verified by CNA, a voice purporting to represent the Chinese vessel accused the Pan Chao of having "repeatedly locked its fire control radar onto our ship," a move regarded as one step away from firing a weapon.
"Your provocative intent is extremely clear and poses a serious threat to safety. You must immediately cease your provocative actions; otherwise, I will regard them as hostile acts, and you will bear full responsibility for all consequences," the voice said in the audio clip.
Asked about the issue at a news conference, Republic of China Navy Chief of Staff Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said only that the Pan Chao adopted necessary defense measures against the intruder in line with established protocols.
"After a Chinese warship enters the area within 24 nautical miles, we will designate a corresponding vessel to issue a defensive warning," Chiu said.
"The Pan Chao adopted the necessary measure — issuing a warning — which fell within said scope, with the aim being to repel [the PLA vessel]," he said.
"The navy has different protocols for varying contingencies, and in this case, we adopted the established protocol for a PLA military exercise," Chiu said.
The protocol entails a "communication process" in which a warning is issued, followed by a "defensive measure," he said.
The navy "would not escalate tensions or create disputes," Chiu added.
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