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Taiwan says China harassing shipping with east coast patrol
Taiwan says China has stepped up coast guard patrols since June and expelled Chinese vessels 13 times from Pratas waters this year.
On Saturday, the Taiwanese Coast Guard reported two Chinese Coast Guard ships were harassing shipping off Taiwan's east coast, prompting Taipei to deploy its own forces to monitor the vessels.
Beijing has increased coast guard activity off the island's east coast since June, which officials in Taipei believe is practice for a potential maritime blockade using military and civilian assets.
Chinese state media showed a ship broadcasting radio messages offering 'law enforcement' assistance, which the Taiwanese Coast Guard condemned as a 'clear expansion of power that violate international law.'
Separately on Saturday, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel neared the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, where Taipei has 'expelled' Chinese vessels 13 times during 2026.
Security experts consider the Pratas highly vulnerable to attack due to their distance—more than 400km—from Taiwan, while Taipei views the east coast as a critical wartime supply route.