Taiwan Sees Sharp Rise In Chinese Vessel Activity, Fears Grow Over Pacific Supply Routes

Taiwan recorded a sharp jump in Chinese coast guard and research vessel activity around the island in June, prompting officials to plan drills simulating a Chinese escalation off its Pacific coast. Coast guard data showed 55 Chinese government vessel sightings during the month, up from 30 in May.

A Steep Year-Over-Year Increase

The June figure marks an 83% rise from the previous month and a 120% jump compared with the 25 sightings recorded in June last year, according to the data, which excludes activity near Taiwan-controlled islands close to the Chinese coast. Officials say the numbers reflect Beijing’s growing reliance on its coast guard as part of a pressure campaign against Taiwan, a strategy Taipei describes as “lawfare” aimed at building a legal justification for Chinese actions around the island.

Concerns Over A Possible Blockade

Taiwan officials believe the pattern may signal rehearsals for cutting off the island’s Pacific supply lines from allies in a wartime scenario. A senior coast guard official said the agency has plans to work alongside the navy to protect these sea routes if tensions escalate into a blockade, adding that the scenario has been tested through both tabletop exercises and live drills.

Converted Warships Raise The Stakes

Officials also noted that some Chinese coast guard vessels were originally naval destroyers, now repainted and reassigned, giving them greater size, endurance, and military-grade capability. These ships reportedly operate in pairs near Taiwan’s economic waters, stretching the resources of Taiwan’s smaller coast guard fleet. Chinese vessels have also questioned merchant ships about port entry details, though no commercial vessel has changed course so far. Taiwan has responded by instructing ships to continue normal navigation and disregard the interference.