Chinese Vessel Activity Around Taiwan Rises Sharply, Coast Guard Says

Taiwan’s Coast Guard has reported a significant increase in the number of Chinese government vessels operating in waters surrounding the self-ruled island, as Beijing continues to intensify pressure on Taipei.

According to AFP, Taiwan says China has been deploying military aircraft, naval warships and coast guard vessels near the island on an almost daily basis. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, a claim firmly rejected by Taipei.

A Taiwan Coast Guard official said 263 Chinese government vessels, including coast guard, rescue and research ships, were detected in waters around Taiwan and its outlying islands in June. The figure was up from 200 in May and 171 in June 2025. The statistics do not include Chinese naval warships.

The official said Beijing is expanding its use of so-called “grey-zone” tactics, designed to increase pressure on Taiwan without triggering direct military conflict. Both the number of government vessels and the intensity of their activities increased noticeably during June.

Last month, China launched what it described as “law enforcement patrols” off Taiwan’s eastern coast for the first time, a move Taipei condemned as provocative.

In another first, China’s Coast Guard reportedly established radio contact with commercial vessels transiting near Taiwan, requesting information about the ships’ identities and destinations.

A senior Taiwanese official said Beijing’s objective extends beyond monitoring maritime traffic. China, the official said, is seeking the capability to block cargo vessels from entering Taiwanese ports during a crisis, potentially disrupting the island’s supply chains.

In response, Taiwan’s Coast Guard said it will soon conduct live exercises to prepare for potential blockade or quarantine scenarios, amid growing concerns over China’s maritime activities.