Chinese coastguard conducts first rescue drill in Taiwan Strait’s strategic choke point
‘Unprecedented’ exercise simulating rescue mission involving a fire aboard a cargo vessel centres on shallow, treacherous Taiwan Shoal
Mainland China’s coastguard has carried out its first-ever search and rescue exercise in a key section of the Taiwan Strait – one of the world’s most strategically vital and busiest waterways.
The large-scale drills on Saturday centred around the Taiwan Shoal – a shallow, hazardous stretch in the southern end of the strait. The location underscored Beijing’s first operational presence in the vital choke point where global trade, military strategy and cross-strait politics converge.
The Fujian Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), which oversaw the drills, said the rescue exercise would “safeguard navigation safety and order” in the highly sensitive waterway.
The “unprecedented” exercise was carried out jointly with an ocean rescue body under Beijing’s Ministry of Transport and simulated a rescue mission involving a fire aboard a cargo vessel, the Fujian MSA said on its official social media.
“The drill simulated a fire breaking out at the bow of a cargo vessel with crew members falling overboard,” the post said.
“After receiving the distress call, the Fujian Maritime Search and Rescue Centre activated its emergency response plan, conducted an initial assessment of the situation, guided the crew in carrying out self-rescue efforts, and coordinated multiple forces to launch the rescue operation.”