Taiwan Coast Guard Officer Finds Strength in Faith as China Increases Pressure in Taiwan Strait

As tensions in the Taiwan Strait continue to rise, one Taiwan Coast Guard officer has found reassurance in an unusual combination of professional duty and spiritual faith. Yeh Chih-sheng, the first mate aboard Taiwan Coast Guard vessel CG1005, patrols some of the region’s most closely watched waters while carrying temple charms believed to offer protection at sea.

Based in Taiwan’s Penghu Islands, Yeh serves on the 2,400-ton coast guard vessel responsible for safeguarding Taiwan’s maritime territory amid increasing Chinese military and coast guard activity. Beyond his official role, he is also an assistant priest, known locally as a "sio-huat," at a temple dedicated to the Five Lords, revered guardian deities traditionally worshipped by Taiwan’s coastal communities for safe voyages and protection from disease.

Yeh has participated in temple rituals since childhood, assisting spirit mediums during religious ceremonies where worshippers believe the gods descend to offer guidance. He says his dual roles complement one another, with the Coast Guard providing physical security while faith offers emotional and spiritual reassurance.

"The Coast Guard is something people can see and rely on," Yeh explained. "The Five Lords provide spiritual support that gives fishermen and local residents peace of mind."

His belief has taken on greater significance as China continues to intensify pressure on Taiwan. Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-governed island and has not ruled out using force to achieve unification. Taiwan rejects those claims, maintaining that China has no authority to conduct law enforcement operations within Taiwan’s waters.

International attention has also focused on the situation. The United States and several allies recently expressed concern over Chinese maritime operations near Taiwan’s eastern coast, warning that such actions could undermine regional stability. China’s Ministry of National Defense has defended its Coast Guard patrols, describing them as lawful, legitimate, and necessary.

Reuters received rare access aboard Yeh’s vessel while it operated from Penghu, a strategically important archipelago located in the Taiwan Strait, a maritime corridor through which billions of dollars in global trade pass annually.

According to Yeh, Chinese naval and Coast Guard ships now routinely cross the Taiwan Strait’s median line, an unofficial boundary that once helped reduce military tensions between both sides. He added that Chinese vessels are increasingly approaching Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone, creating more frequent encounters at sea.

"They have already erased the median line," Yeh said, referring to China's growing maritime presence.

Despite these challenges, Taiwan’s Coast Guard follows a policy of "not provoking and not yielding." Rather than escalating confrontations, officers rely on non-lethal measures such as radio warnings, loudspeakers, LED message boards, and water cannons to encourage Chinese vessels to leave Taiwan’s waters.

Before each patrol, Yeh carries sacred talismans and ceremonial command tablets from his temple. For him, these religious symbols reinforce the same mission he carries out aboard his patrol vessel—protecting those who depend on the sea.

Standing beside the temple’s ceremonial divine boat, known as the Chienchiu Paochien, Yeh reflected on the similarities between his religious responsibilities and his coast guard service. Both, he said, exist to safeguard the Taiwan Strait and provide security for fishermen and local communities.

"Our mission is to protect people's sense of safety and peace of mind," Yeh said. "As long as the coast guard and navy are here, people can continue living their lives normally."

As geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan remain elevated, Yeh’s story highlights the unique intersection of faith, tradition, and national service, demonstrating how spiritual beliefs continue to play a meaningful role alongside Taiwan’s maritime security efforts.