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Taiwan accuses China of “harassing” its ships

Gabriel Dumitrache

1 November 2026, 16:31

International

Foto: Shutterstock

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Taiwan’s Coast Guard has accused China of unjustifiably expanding its jurisdiction through a new patrol conducted Saturday off the island’s east coast. Taipei says two Chinese vessels took part in the operation and harassed vessels via radio communications.

Taiwan sent its own vessels to monitor the situation, while authorities denounced the action as an attempt to expand its power, saying it violates international law and affects regional stability. Chinese state media broadcast footage showing one of the vessels saying it was carrying out law enforcement activities and providing assistance, without specifying whom the message was addressed to.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taipei rejects Beijing’s claims. The Chinese Coast Guard has intensified its patrols off Taiwan’s east coast since June. Taiwanese officials fear these actions could be part of preparations for a possible maritime blockade.

Separately, another Chinese vessel was observed near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. Taipei says that since the beginning of the year, it has driven Chinese vessels away from the waters around the archipelago 13 times.

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Context: Taiwan intensified its exercises and defense budget, while the US and China escalated their messaging around Taiwan

Before the patrol that Taipei says was used for harassment, Taiwan had increased its military preparations: the Taipei government announced record defense allocations ($31.4 billion, over 3% of GDP) and planned spending on drones and missiles, while the military conducted annual Han Kuang exercises, which included a simulation of a maritime blockade scenario. Also, at the beginning of the week, Taiwanese authorities launched large-scale exercises intended to test commanders’ responses, stating that internet access would be temporarily limited during them to reproduce crisis conditions.

At the same time, security signals and external support were accumulating in the region: the United States announced flyovers of the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed through statements its commitment to international law, while the first F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from a previously ordered batch arrived in Taiwan. North Korea also reacted critically, accusing the US of arming Taiwan and warning of the risk of a confrontation that could also involve China.