Number of Chinese Official Vessels Around Taiwan Almost Doubles in June
Taiwan's coast guard reported a sharp increase in Chinese government vessels operating around the country in June, nearly twice the number seen in May. Officials say the activity is putting pressure on Taiwan's ability to respond.
More Chinese Ships Around Taiwan
REPORTER:
Taiwan’s coast guard saw a sharp increase in Chinese maritime activity around the country in June.
Taiwan reported 55 Chinese government vessel sightings, including coast guard and research boats in the month – nearly double the number reported in May.
An anonymous coast guard official said the vessels often operate in pairs just outside of Taiwan’s economic waters, straining the ability of Taiwan’s coast guard ships to respond. Officials said China may be practicing how to cut off Taiwan’s supply lines.
---
Chinese Coast Guard Activity Up
REPORTER:
Chinese ship sightings increased significantly in June, straining the capacity of Taiwan’s Coast Guard.
Taiwan marked 55 sightings of Chinese government vessels, including coast guard and research boats, in June - that’s up 83% from May, and 125% from the same period last year. This shows the growing role of China’s coast guard in what Taiwan is calling “lawfare,” where Beijing deploys ships around the island to create a legal basis for its actions and by extension its territorial claims.
The vessels often operate in pairs over a wide range just outside of Taiwan’s economic waters, straining the coast guard’s ability to respond, according to local officials. Taiwan’s coast guard has said China may be practicing how to blockade Taiwan from its Pacific allies, but that there are plans and drills in place for that scenario.
China’s coast guard is playing a larger role in Beijing’s efforts to create a legal basis for its actions around the island and, by extension, territorial claims, something Taiwan calls “lawfare.”
