The Taiwan Coast Guard continued the search for a missing fighter jet pilot today following a crash off the east coast.

The F-16A-72V Fighting Falcon took off from Hualien Air Base at 6:17 pm local time on Tuesday for a routine training mission.

By 7:29 pm, the pilot, reported as Captain Hsin Po-yi, was believed to have ejected roughly 10 nautical miles east of Fengbin Township, Hualien County.

As of Thursday morning, officials said three ships, 12 boats, and 68 vehicles, along with at least 154 personnel, were deployed in search-and-rescue operations.

Difficult weather has hampered the efforts, with force six to seven winds, gusts up to force nine, three-metre waves, and a sharp drop in temperature by evening due to a cold continental air mass.

President Lai Ching-te wrote on social media: 'Regarding tonight's F-16 in Hualien, which went missing during training, I immediately instructed the Ministry of National Defence and relevant units to make 'personnel safety' the top priority and carry out a full-scale search and rescue.

'The Air Force Response Centre has launched a joint rescue operation, actively searching the Hualien sea area.

'Every member of our armed forces is an important pillar of the nation. I ask all citizens to send their support for Captain Hsin and cheer on the rescue teams. We will do everything possible, every single minute, to bring the pilot home safely.'