TAIPEI – Taiwan reported another tense encounter with the Chinese Coast Guard on Friday near the strategically important Pratas Islands at the northern edge of the South China Sea, marking the second such incident in two weeks.
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, a position firmly rejected by the government in Taipei. China has stepped up military pressure on Taiwan over the past five years, increasing activity around the island.
The Pratas Islands, situated roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, are controlled by Taiwan but considered by some security analysts to be vulnerable to a potential Chinese strike due to their distance of more than 400 km (250 miles) from Taiwan’s main island.
According to Taiwan’s Coast Guard, a Chinese coast guard vessel was spotted on Friday morning and then “forced its way” into restricted waters near the Pratas after accelerating, making a sharp turn, and ignoring repeated warnings from the Taiwanese ship.
The two vessels remain locked in a standoff and are involved in “intense verbal exchanges,” the Coast Guard said.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Taiwan’s Coast Guard accused the Chinese ship of attempting to create a false narrative that Beijing has jurisdiction over the waters surrounding the Pratas.
“This not only disrupts the existing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but also positions China as a source of tension in cross-strait and regional affairs,” the statement said. “Taiwan’s maritime sovereignty cannot be challenged.”
A similar confrontation took place nearly two weeks ago, ending when the Chinese vessel eventually departed.
