Taiwan's authorities have accused China of escalating maritime pressure after Chinese Coast Guard vessels conducted patrols near the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands), prompting a confrontation with Taiwanese patrol ships. While Beijing described the operation as a routine law enforcement mission within its territorial waters, Taipei denounced the activity as "maritime harassment."

The China Coast Guard announced that a flotilla of coast guard vessels had carried out routine law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan as part of efforts to safeguard what it described as China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

In a statement, the coast guard said it would continue strengthening law enforcement operations within waters under China's jurisdiction, stressing its determination to "resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

Standoff near Pratas Islands

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration, however, said one of the Chinese vessels entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands in the northern part of the South China Sea early Saturday.

According to Taiwanese officials, a Taiwanese coast guard vessel was dispatched to intercept the Chinese ship and repeatedly ordered it to leave the area.

During the encounter, the two vessels reportedly came within one nautical mile (1.9 kilometres) of each other before the Chinese ship departed.

Taipei described the incident as another example of Beijing's increasing pressure on Taiwan through coast guard operations and accused China of attempting to intimidate shipping and undermine regional stability.

Beijing defends patrols

Chinese authorities rejected the accusations, insisting that the patrols were conducted lawfully in waters under China's jurisdiction and were aimed at protecting national sovereignty and legitimate maritime interests.

Beijing regards Taiwan as an inseparable part of China and has repeatedly opposed what it considers separatist activities on the island, while reaffirming that safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity remains a core national priority.

Maritime tensions continue to rise

Taiwanese officials said the latest incident marked the 13th encounter involving Chinese coast guard vessels near the Pratas Islands this year, with 16 Chinese ships having operated in the area during that period.

Taipei has argued that the growing frequency of Chinese coast guard deployments forms part of a broader campaign of military and maritime pressure around the self-ruled island.

The latest standoff comes amid continuing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, where Chinese naval and coast guard activities have increased in recent months.

In June, France, Germany and the United Kingdom jointly expressed concern over China's activities around Taiwan, reflecting continued international attention to security developments in the region.(ILKHA)