Overview

• Taiwan's coastguard has documented five recent cases of Chinese small-boat crossings, involving 38 individuals, across the Taiwan Strait.
• A father and son from mainland China landed on Guanyin Beach in an inflatable boat, claiming to flee persecution, and turned themselves in to authorities.
• A viral video shows a man, dubbed 'Shandong Kai Ge,' planting a Chinese flag on a Taiwanese beach; its authenticity is confirmed, though investigations continue into whether the crossing was staged.
• Taiwan's coastguard has requested special funding for enhanced coastal surveillance, citing challenges in detecting small boats with existing radar systems.
• Legal penalties for unauthorized landings include fines and imprisonment, but enforcement is rare when no harm or damage occurs.