Taiwan Says Drives Away 16 Chinese Ships Involved in ‘Maritime Harassment’
Taiwan said its coast guard forced back 16 Chinese vessels as 2 military aircraft and 5 naval ships were also tracked over 24 hours.
- On Sunday, October 18, 2026, Taiwan reported driving away 16 Chinese coast guard, research, and fishing vessels involved in simultaneous "maritime harassment" operations near Pratas.
- China has intensified maritime pressure on Taiwan in recent months, utilizing gray zone tactics defined as efforts to achieve security objectives without resort to direct, sizable use of force.
- The Chinese vessels carried out "simultaneous operations at multiple locations and engaged in hybrid warfare," according to official statements, with some ships entering Taiwan's restricted waters.
- Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said its vessels took "forceful action immediately to effectively neutralise the threats," while condemning attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo.
- Taipei branded Beijing's law enforcement patrols as "provocative" and "expansionism in disguise," while an "unusually large" number of vessels continue operating around Taiwan's main island and disputed territories.
22 Articles
22 Articles
On Sunday, the Taiwan authorities announced that they had removed 16 Chinese sea objects, including Coast Guard vessels and research and fishing vessels, which were involved in simultaneous "free harassment" operations.
Beijing and Taipei meet regularly, especially off Taiwan's coast. Now Chinese ships have reappeared near the island state - this time exceptionally many. Taiwan's coast guard speaks of "hybrid warfare".
On the coasts of Taiwan there have been incidents with several Chinese ships. The Taiwanese Coast Guard speaks of "marit harassment actions".
According to Taiwan, a "maritime harassment" has been countered on an unusually large scale. Thus, more than a dozen Chinese ships have approached the island republic in the swarm.
Hong Kong Free Press
The Straits TimesTaiwan says drives away 16 Chinese ships involved in ‘maritime harassment’
Taiwan said on Sunday it had driven away 16 Chinese coast guard, research and fishing vessels involved in simultaneous “maritime harassment” operations. An “unusually large” number of Chinese vessels took part in the coordinated operations around Taiwan’s main island and Pratas, a disputed island to the southwest, the Taiwanese coast guard said in a statement. […]
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