World · Singapore Bureau
Taiwan reports Chinese patrols harassing shipping along east coast
Taiwan has accused China of conducting harassment operations against commercial shipping in waters off its eastern coast. The island nation also reported multiple Chinese incursions near the Pratas Islands, which it said it repelled on 13 separate occasions this year.
LSN Singapore ·
Taiwanese authorities have escalated complaints about Chinese military activities disrupting maritime commerce in the Taiwan Strait region and adjacent waters. Officials said the patrols represent an intensification of pressure tactics aimed at the self-governing island.
Among the incidents cited by Taipei were repeated Chinese approaches to the Pratas Islands, a strategically located atoll in the South China Sea administered by Taiwan. Taiwanese forces reported intercepting Chinese vessels or aircraft near the islands on 13 occasions during 2026, forcing them to withdraw.
The harassment of shipping lanes reflects broader tensions between Taipei and Beijing over territorial claims and military presence in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has sought to maintain freedom of navigation in waters it considers international, while China has increased its military activities in the region.
Taiwan's defense ministry said it maintains heightened surveillance of Chinese movements and is prepared to respond to any threats to its sovereignty or commercial interests. The island has called on regional partners to support efforts to preserve stability in one of Asia's most economically vital shipping corridors.