China launches special maritime control operation east of Taiwan

On 6 June 2026 the Chinese government announced a "special maritime control operation" in waters east of Taiwan. The operation involves four China Coast Guard vessels – Haixun 06, Haixun 08, Haixun 09 and Donghaijiu 113 – sailing from Xiamen toward the area southwest of the island. China said the move is needed to exercise its “administrative maritime control jurisdiction”, protect navigation safety and safeguard national interests after Japan and the Philippines began talks to delimit their exclusive economic zones in the same region. Beijing described the Japanese‑Filipino negotiations as a unilateral violation of its sovereignty and of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Authority rejected China’s claim, stating that Beijing has no sovereign rights in the waters and that its ships remained outside Taiwan‑controlled restricted zones. Taiwan deployed five of its own vessels, including a 100‑ton patrol boat, to monitor the area and affirmed that navigation continues normally. The Chinese action is viewed as an effort to intensify “gray‑zone” pressure and create the appearance of jurisdiction over the disputed sea lanes that carry a significant share of global container traffic.