Taiwan has accused China of harassing shipping in a Taiwan China east coast patrol, saying Chinese coast guard vessels used radio messages to assert jurisdiction over waters where Beijing has no authority, and that it sent its own ships to monitor the operation.
Responding late on Saturday to China’s announcement of its latest patrol off Taiwan’s east coast, Taiwan’s Coast Guard said two Chinese ships were involved. Chinese state media showed video of one of its ships broadcasting a radio message saying it was carrying out law enforcement and offering help if needed, without saying who the message was addressed to, though footage showed an unidentified fishing trawler.
FAKTA
- What happened: China carried out a coast guard patrol off Taiwan’s east coast; Taiwan says the patrol harassed shipping through radio communications.
- Who is involved: Two Chinese coast guard ships, monitored by Taiwanese coast guard vessels sent to keep watch.
- Where: Waters off Taiwan’s east coast, plus a separate Chinese coast guard approach near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea.
- When: The patrol was announced on Saturday, 31 October 2026, with Taiwan’s response issued late the same day; the story was reported on 1 November 2026.
- Why it matters: Taipei regards its east coast as critical to wartime supply routes from allies in the event of a blockade or conflict.
Taiwan’s accusation in the Taiwan China east coast patrol
Taiwan’s Coast Guard said China’s attempts to harass ships at sea through radio communications were a clear expansion of power that violated international law, undermined regional peace and stability, and deviated from reality.
“Our country holds sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone east of Taiwan, and China has absolutely no jurisdiction over any of Taiwan’s waters,” the Coast Guard added.
A pattern of patrols since June
China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up activity off the island’s east coast since June with regular coast guard patrols. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, and officials in Taipei say they believe China is practising for a potential maritime blockade using overlapping military, paramilitary and civilian assets. China recognises no claims of sovereignty by Taiwan.
Pratas Islands approach
Separately, Taiwan’s Coast Guard said China on Saturday also sent another coast guard ship close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, strategically located at the top of the South China Sea. Taiwan said it has so far this year expelled Chinese coast guard vessels from Pratas waters 13 times.
The Pratas have no permanent civilian population and lie roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong. Security experts see them as vulnerable to Chinese attack due to their distance — more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) — from Taiwan.
For more coverage from the region, see Watan News Asia coverage.
What happens next
No confrontation at sea was reported in connection with the latest patrol, and neither side has announced further action. The episode adds to the steady drumbeat of coast guard activity around Taiwan that has continued since June, keeping attention on the waters off the island’s east coast and around the Pratas Islands.
