The Taiwan Statebuilding Party (TSP) raised national security concerns at a press conference on Tuesday regarding a potential security breach due to Taiwanese fishing vessels’ illegal use of the Beidou satellite system.
China’s Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) is the equivalent of the U.S. government-owned Global Positioning System (GPS) and is used by China’s military, industries and citizens.
TSP stated that China’s BDS has been used to penetrate and monitor military traffic. Although Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency and National Communications Commission (NCC) have banned the use of BDS and its terminal equipment, a Taiwanese fishing vessel was recently found to have illegally installed the BDS.
TSP Chairperson Wang Hsing-huan (王興煥) emphasized that tensions between Taiwan and China are already at an all-time high. Should war break out, the use of BDS would expose the positions of Taiwanese fishing vessels which could endanger their safety. Moreover, fishing vessels installed with BDS would also affect military mobilization becoming a serious national security problem. Wang called on the NCC and the Digital Affairs Ministry to conduct a thorough investigation.
Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Wang Cheng-fang (王正芳) responded by saying that all communication equipment installed and used by fishing vessels is required to have prior approval from the NCC. BDS, including its terminal equipment and frequency bands, have not been approved. Wang reminded the public that such actions are in violation of Article 49 of the Telecommunications Act and shall be punished accordingly. Wang reminded the public not to install any unauthorized communications equipment.