Taiwan Reports Surge in Chinese Coast Guard and Vessel Activity, Plans Blockade Drills

In June, Taiwan’s Coast Guard recorded 55 Chinese government vessels—including coast‑guard and research ships—operating around the island, up from 30 in May. The tally represents an 83 % increase from the previous month and a 120 % rise compared with the same period last year. AFP data released later showed a total of 263 Chinese vessels in Taiwan’s surrounding waters in June, a sharp jump from 200 the month before and 171 a year earlier, not counting warships.

Taiwan’s defence authorities say the surge signals a heightened risk of a maritime blockade. A senior Coast Guard official warned, “If the situation escalates to a blockade … we have plans to work with the navy to jointly protect Taiwan’s lifeline sea routes,” and noted that Taiwan is conducting both tabletop exercises and live drills to prepare. Officials also highlighted that some Chinese coast‑guard ships are converted former destroyers, operating in pairs near Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone and stressing the island’s limited coast‑guard fleet. The activity is described by Taipei as part of Beijing’s “law‑fare” strategy, drawing concern from several Western nations.