Taiwan's coast guard has installed a new commander for its Kinmen unit, a routine handover that highlights how exposed the islands are to smuggling and illegal crossings from mainland China.

• Chang Wei-chuan took charge of the coast guard's 9th shore patrol unit at a swearing-in ceremony on Kinmen.
• Kinmen sits on the front line of the Taiwan Strait, just off China's coast, leaving very little time to react to anything coming in.
• Smuggling and people crossing over illegally are the main security problems the unit deals with.
• The regional commander told the new leader to move personnel and resources around flexibly, since conditions there are nothing like patrolling Taiwan's main island.
• The unit's stated job is national security, law and order, and public safety for the island.

Outlook: Expect continued patrols, inspections and sea rescues on Kinmen, with pressure on the new commander to tighten response times.