Taiwan reports 13th Chinese coast guard intrusion near Pratas Islands this year
Vessels from both sides closed to 1.9 kilometers during a Saturday standoff, according to Taipei officials.
By Nia Foster ·
Taiwan’s coast guard recorded 13 separate intrusions by Chinese vessels near the Pratas Islands this year, involving a total of 16 ships, according to a report released on November 1, 2026.
The latest incident occurred early Saturday when a Chinese coast guard vessel entered restricted waters southwest of Taiwan’s main island. Taiwan’s coast guard stated that a local vessel confronted the intruder and requested it leave the area. At the peak of the encounter, the two ships operated within 1.9 kilometers of one another.
Beijing claims sovereignty over the waters where it conducts patrols. In a statement issued on the same day, China’s coast guard said it had deployed a group of vessels for a routine law enforcement patrol east of Taiwan. The statement added that the agency would continue to intensify its operations to uphold territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
Taipei accused Beijing of engaging in pointless acts of harassment. The coast guard urged the Chinese side to stop these actions immediately.
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force to annex it. The country sends warships and military jets near the island almost daily. In recent months, Beijing has increased coast guard patrols, particularly in waters east of Taiwan, a move that has raised concerns in Taipei.
In June, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement expressing alarm over Chinese activities east of Taiwan, citing risks to regional stability.
Source: The Hour
