Taiwan cites repeated incursions near Pratas
A Chinese coast guard vessel entered restricted waters near a disputed coral island, prompting a confrontation that brought two ships within one nautical mile of each other.
By Ryan Davidson ·
Taiwan’s Coast Guard accused Beijing of harassment on Saturday after a Chinese vessel entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands.
The Pratas Islands are a disputed coral formation in the South China Sea, southwest of Taiwan’s main island. The coast guard stated that a Chinese vessel entered the area in the early hours of Saturday. A Taiwanese patrol ship intercepted the intruder and requested it withdraw.
At the closest point of the encounter, the two vessels were 1.9 kilometers apart. This distance equates to one nautical mile. The Taiwanese authority described the event as an act of hostigamiento, a term it used to characterize the specific maneuver.
Beijing maintains jurisdiction over the waters it patrols. The Chinese Coast Guard announced on Saturday that it dispatched a group of ships for a routine law enforcement patrol east of Taiwan. A statement from the service said it would continue strengthening patrols to protect territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.
This incident marks the 13th such intrusion near the Pratas Islands this year. A total of 16 vessels participated in these encounters. The frequency of these events has raised alarms in Taipei. In recent months, Beijing has intensified coast guard patrols, particularly in waters east of the island.
China views democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force for annexation. Beijing sends warships and military aircraft near the island almost daily. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement in June expressing alarm over Chinese activities east of Taiwan. They argued these actions threatened regional stability.
