Guardians of the Taiwan Strait: The Coast Guard Officer and Temple Assistant Ensuring Safety and Peace
In the waters of the Taiwan Strait, Yeh Chih-sheng, the first mate of Taiwan Coast Guard vessel CG1005, carries temple charms blessed by the gods revered by fishermen for protection at sea. Yeh, also an assistant priest at a Penghu temple devoted to the Five Lords, merges his duty as a coast guard with his faith in the guardian deities worshipped by coastal communities for safe seas and protection from plague. The Coast Guard's tangible presence and the spiritual anchor of the Five Lords offer reassurance to fishermen and ordinary people alike.
As China asserts its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, Yeh's dual role as a coast guard officer and temple assistant provides comfort amid the growing military pressure from Beijing. China's actions, including patrols in Taiwan's waters, have raised concerns among the U.S. and its allies. Yeh's ship in Penghu, strategically located in the Taiwan Strait, faces the challenge of Chinese warships and Coast Guard vessels crossing the median line, once an unofficial buffer zone. Yeh's approach is to monitor and warn Chinese vessels without escalating tensions, using various communication methods to maintain peace.
Yeh adheres to the Coast Guard's principle of "not provoking and not yielding" while carrying talismans and command tablets from the temple during patrols. The ceremonial divine boat at the temple symbolizes the shared mission of the coast guard and the temple to safeguard the Taiwan Strait and protect the local community. Yeh emphasizes that their role is to ensure people's safety and peace of mind, allowing them to live normally despite the geopolitical tensions in the region. The fusion of duty and faith in Yeh's life reflects the resilience and determination of Taiwan's maritime frontline in the face of external challenges.