Taiwan’s coast guard accused China of harassment after a Chinese vessel entered restricted waters near the disputed Pratas Islands, a coral island group in the South China Sea administered by Taiwan.
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to rule out using force to bring the democratically governed island under its control. Chinese warships and military aircraft operate near Taiwan almost daily, while expanded coast guard patrols—particularly east of the island—have heightened concerns in Taipei in recent months.
The Chinese coast guard vessel entered waters near the Pratas Islands, southwest of Taiwan’s main island, early Saturday, Taiwan’s coast guard said. A Taiwanese vessel intercepted the ship and instructed it to leave the area, officials added.
During the confrontation, the two vessels came within 1 nautical mile, or about 1.9 kilometers, of one another, Taiwan’s coast guard said.
China maintains that the waters where it conducts patrols are under its jurisdiction.
Taiwan’s coast guard urged Beijing “to immediately cease these pointless acts of harassment.” The agency said Saturday’s incident marked the 13th intrusion near the Pratas Islands this year, involving a total of 16 vessels.
China’s coast guard also said Saturday that it had deployed several vessels for a “routine law enforcement patrol” in waters east of Taiwan.
“The China Coast Guard will continue to intensify its law enforcement patrols in waters under its jurisdiction, firmly upholding the nation’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” the statement said.
In June, France, Germany and the United Kingdom issued an unusually direct joint statement warning that China’s activities east of Taiwan threatened regional stability.
