Taiwan says China's coast guard is harassing shipping off its east coast

Taiwan's Coast Guard said two Chinese ships were involved and that China has "absolutely no jurisdiction" over any of Taiwan's waters, Reuters reported. Chinese state media showed a video of one of its ships broadcasting a radio message saying it was carrying out law enforcement, according to Reuters.

Taiwan also said China sent another coast guard ship close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, and that it has "expelled" Chinese coast guard vessels from Pratas waters 13 times so far in 2026, Reuters and Focus Taiwan reported.

Why it matters: Officials in Taiwan say they believe China is practising for a potential maritime blockade, and Taipei regards waters off its east coast as critical to wartime supply routes.