China launches large‑scale maritime patrol east of Taiwan

China began a targeted maritime law‑enforcement and traffic‑control operation in the Pacific waters east of Taiwan on 6 June. The deployment, announced by the Ministry of Transport, includes major coast‑guard vessels, maritime‑enforcement ships and deep‑sea patrol assets, notably the 10,000‑ton patrol ship Haixun 09. Taiwanese authorities say a Chinese coast‑guard vessel entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands, leading to a tense standoff and verbal exchanges with Taiwan’s Coast Guard. Taiwan condemned the move as a provocation and said it will spend about US$935 million on 40 new coast‑guard patrol vessels to strengthen its maritime defenses. Beijing frames the operation as a lawful assertion of sovereignty in response to recent Japan‑Philippines talks on maritime delimitation and broader diplomatic coordination among US allies.