China Expands Maritime Enforcement Near Taiwan

China has intensified its maritime pressure on Taiwan by deploying coast guard vessels east of the island, reinforcing its territorial claims and potentially practicing blockade scenarios.

The China Coast Guard announced on Saturday that its ships would undertake “law-enforcement patrols” in Western Pacific waters east of Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing asserts as part of its territory. These waters are critical for global shipping and could be pivotal in a future conflict over Taiwan.

China’s coast guard ships, often heavily armed and larger than naval vessels, have played a key role in asserting dominance in the South China Sea. Tactics include swarming foreign ships, ramming, or using water cannons to deter non-cooperation.

The patrols, described by the coast guard as efforts to “firmly safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights,” involved two ships, the Xiushan and Chongming, positioned 80-140 miles from Taiwan’s east coast by Sunday, according to a Taiwan Coast Guard official.

Analysts note this represents a shift from previous, less frequent patrols. Ray Powell, a maritime expert, warns that these actions signal China’s intent to “squeeze Taiwan like a boa constrictor,” targeting vital sea lanes.

The latest deployments follow similar operations in June, during which multiple Chinese vessels conducted exercises in the same area. The U.S., Britain, France, and Germany criticized these actions last month, condemning them as coercive.

Taiwan responded by dispatching its own coast guard ships to monitor the Chinese vessels, stating it would “forcefully expel any harassing Chinese ships” in its territorial waters.

BEIJING rejects Taiwan’s sovereignty claims, asserting no jurisdiction over the waters in question. The Mainland Affairs Council reiterated that Chinese government vessels lack legal authority in these regions.

The disputed waters lie beyond Taiwan’s territorial seas and are claimed by Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan for economic activities like fishing and mining.

In 2024, China began regular patrols near Kinmen Island, a Taiwanese-controlled area close to the mainland. Concurrently, the Chinese navy has expanded its exercises, including a planned July joint drill with Russia near Qingdao, followed by Pacific patrols.

Taiwanese officials report that Chinese coast guard ships contacted at least three commercial vessels, demanding crew and destination information. One Singapore-flagged cargo ship complied, a move disclosed by Agence France-Presse.

Taiwanese authorities advise commercial ships to disregard such demands. However, the compliance incident highlights China’s escalating efforts to assert control over sea lanes critical to regional and global trade.

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