Taiwan Raises Security Concerns as Chinese Coast Guard Activity Intensifies

Taiwan has expressed concern over growing Chinese activity around its waters after several Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered areas near the island. Taiwanese officials said the ships later departed and moved eastward during the early hours of Monday, but the incident has added to ongoing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo said the military would continue working closely with the Coast Guard through intelligence sharing and coordinated monitoring efforts. The development comes as Beijing continues to reject Taiwan’s sovereignty claims, insisting that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to “one China.”

Taiwan Reports Month-Long Pattern of Pressure

Kuan Bi-ling, head of Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, said China has been carrying out what she described as a month long campaign of escalating provocations since early May. According to Kuan, these activities include operations near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea and the deployment of a Chinese research vessel in waters close to Taiwan.

She said the region should remain an area of peace and stability rather than conflict and threats.

Military Activity Remains Under Close Watch

Taiwan’s Coast Guard is responsible for tracking Chinese Coast Guard vessels, while the navy primarily monitors Chinese military ships. Chinese warships and military aircraft already operate around Taiwan on an almost daily basis.

Taiwan is also monitoring the movements of China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning, which is currently operating in waters east of the Philippines. Beijing has repeatedly stated that it reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control, while Taiwan’s government continues to reject China’s sovereignty claims and maintains that the island’s future should be decided by its people.