Taiwan reported Chinese law enforcement vessels entered its claimed waters around Taiping Island for the first time. Experts suggest this action could be Beijing's strategy to assert sovereignty and establish effective control in disputed waters.
These incursions by Chinese law enforcement vessels near Taiwan-controlled islands represent a potential escalation in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with experts suggesting it could be a strategy to establish de facto control.
Taiwan has reported that mainland Chinese law enforcement vessels entered its claimed waters around Taiping Island in the South China Sea for the first time. The two vessels, Sansha Zhifa 301 and Sansha No 2, managed by the city of Sansha in Hainan province, reportedly entered the 3.2-nautical mile prohibited waters at 8:28 a.m. on Thursday and moved closer to the 2.1-nautical mile restrictive waters at 8:31 a.m.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration stated that this was the first instance of mainland Chinese government vessels entering the restricted waters near Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba. The Taiwanese coastguard successfully drove away both vessels by 8:43 a.m.
This incident follows a previous incursion on June 5, when a mainland Chinese coastguard ship entered the prohibited waters of the Pratas Islands, also known as the Dongsha Islands. Experts suggest that Beijing's actions around these islands are an attempt to assert sovereignty through concrete actions, potentially forming the basis for effective control in the future.