As tensions between Taiwan and China continue to escalate, one Taiwan Coast Guard officer is drawing strength from his faith. Yeh Chih-sheng, first mate of the 2,400-ton ship CG1005, is also an assistant priest at a temple in Penghu, where he serves the Five Lords, guardian deities revered by fishermen for protection at sea.
Faith and Duty
Yeh has served the gods since primary school, helping spirit mediums during rituals in which deities are believed to descend from the heavens and deliver instructions. This fusion of duty and faith has become a source of comfort for Yeh as Taiwan faces growing military pressure from China.
China’s actions have attracted concern from the U.S. and some of its allies, which last week said recent operations off Taiwan’s east coast threatened stability. Yeh’s job is to monitor and warn Chinese vessels away using water cannon, loudspeakers, LED boards, and radio messages, rather than escalating the encounter.
Yeh carries talismans and command tablets from the temple when he goes on patrol, and believes that the Coast Guard and navy are essential for protecting the sense of safety and peace of mind of the people. As China continues to assert its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, Yeh’s faith and duty remain a source of strength and reassurance.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
