Taiwan condemns Chinese vessels' incursion into Itu Aba waters

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said two Chinese vessels – the patrol ship Sansha Zhifa 301 and the supply vessel Sansha 2 – entered the restricted zone surrounding Itu Aba Island in the South China Sea on the morning of June 13. The ships entered at 8:28 a.m. and again at 8:31 a.m., made sudden sharp turns that Taiwan said endangered its coast‑guard personnel, and were repeatedly ordered to withdraw. The vessels exited the area, which extends 4–6 km from the island’s coastline, by about 8:43 a.m.

The CGA called the incursion the first recorded breach of Itu Aba’s waters by Chinese official vessels and issued its "strongest condemnation" of Beijing, reaffirming Taiwan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and maritime security. The episode follows a series of recent Chinese coast‑guard incursions near Taiwan‑controlled islands, including the Pratas (Dongsha) Islands, and comes amid China’s "special maritime law‑enforcement operations" linked to planned Japan‑Philippines maritime talks.