Taiwan Accuses China of Harassment After Coral Island Confrontation

The South China Sea remains a flashpoint for maritime tension as Taiwan and China exchange accusations over a new close encounter. The Taiwan Coast Guard formally accused Beijing of harassment following an incident near the Pratas Islands, a disputed coral atoll southwest of Taiwan's main island.

A Chinese coast guard ship entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands early Saturday. A Taiwanese vessel met the Chinese ship and ordered it to withdraw. At the closest point of contact, the two vessels were separated by only 1.9 kilometers, which equals one nautical mile, according to the Taiwan Coast Guard.

The Pratas Islands are administered by Taiwan, though China claims jurisdiction over the surrounding waters. Beijing has maintained that it views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to reunify the two. In recent months, Chinese military and coast guard patrols have intensified, particularly in the waters east of the island, raising concerns in Taipei.

Taiwan’s coast guard described the Saturday event as the 13th incursion of this type near the Pratas Islands this year. These incidents involved a total of 16 vessels. The agency urged Beijing to stop what it called "useless acts of harassment" immediately.

On the same day, China announced that its coast guard had dispatched a group of ships for a routine law enforcement patrol in the waters east of Taiwan. A statement from the Chinese service noted that it would continue to strengthen patrols in waters under its jurisdiction. The statement added that Beijing would firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

European powers have recently voiced concern about these activities. In June, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement expressing alarm over Chinese operations east of Taiwan. The three nations said the actions threatened regional stability.