# Taiwan maritime tension, drills and Chinese simulations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/taiwanchina-maritime-clashes-near-pratas-islands
> Updated: 2026-08-11T23:02:44.000Z. Sources: 158. Developments: 48.

Maritime tensions persisted through July 2026, as China's coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan on July 31. Led by the vessel Xiushan and supported by the Chongming, the operation took place approximately 151 nautical miles east of Orchid Island. Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration deployed the patrol ship Taipei to monitor the vessels, characterizing the patrols as “fake law-enforcement” intended to expand Beijing's jurisdiction. This incident also highlighted increased security cooperation, with images released by the United States' de-facto embassy showing the Taiwan coast guard sailing alongside the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Midgett.

Parallel to the Han Kuang military exercises, Taiwan has moved forward with large-scale urban resilience and air defense drills. On August 10, a phased exercise began in several central counties, including Taichung and Changhua. A key component of these drills is a simulated mobile network slowdown, where 4G and 5G data speeds are reduced to approximately 1% of normal levels to simulate communications constraints during war or cyberattacks. While high-bandwidth services like video streaming and mobile payments are restricted, essential services such as voice calls and emergency alerts remain functional. 

On August 11, drills extended to the offshore islands of Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu. The northern region, including Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Keelung, and Yilan, is scheduled for exercises on August 13. These northern drills will also implement the 30-minute mobile network speed reduction. Amidst these security exercises, the Central Weather Administration has warned of heavy rainfall and potential thunderstorms across central, southern, and northern regions due to southwest winds and low-pressure systems.

## Claims

- The patrols were led by the ship Xiushan. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration deployed the patrol ship Taipei to monitor the Chinese vessels. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Taiwan condemned the patrols as a political operation aimed at expanding Beijing’s control, calling them “fake law enforcement”. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Taiwan vowed to take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and ensure water security. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- China said the patrols safeguard the lawful rights, interests, lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the strait. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The United States’ de‑facto embassy in Taiwan released a photo showing a Taiwan coast‑guard vessel sailing with the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Midgett. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- China’s coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan on 31 July, describing them as routine law‑enforcement. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The 2026 Town Resilience (Air Defense) Exercise will use a staggered schedule by region. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Mobile network speeds (4G/5G) will be reduced to approximately 1% of normal capacity during specific drill windows. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Emergency services including 110, 119, voice calls, SMS, and disaster alert broadcasts will remain operational during the network speed reduction. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- High-bandwidth services such as video streaming, video calls, and mobile payments will be significantly affected. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The central region drill covering seven counties/cities is scheduled for August 10, 2026, from 14:30 to 15:00. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The northern drill scheduled for August 13 covers Yilan, Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu City, and Hsinchu County. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- China has built full‑scale mock‑ups of U.S. and Taiwanese naval vessels and bases in the Xinjiang desert for missile testing. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- China’s coast guard and civilian maritime assets conducted new patrols east of Taiwan in June‑July, with 55 sightings in June versus 30 in May. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Tristan Tang of the National Bureau of Asian Research said Beijing is signalling an intent to extend jurisdiction over Taiwan’s eastern waters. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- China claims the maritime operations respond to Japan and the Philippines’ maritime boundary talks that it says infringe on its rights. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The U.S. Navy identifies Yokosuka as its largest overseas base, hosting the Seventh Fleet and the carrier USS George Washington. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Violations of civil defense regulations can result in fines between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The drills are designed to test government response capabilities in limited communication environments and promote backup communication methods. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Analysts say the patrols could be a step toward a blockade and raise the probability of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan to 13% in prediction markets. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-11: Taipei civil defense exercise to impact YouBike and mobile services

A civil defense exercise in Taipei will cause mobile network slowdowns, impacting YouBike rentals, shared motorcycles, and mobile-based parking payments and charging services.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taipei-civil-defense-exercise-to-impact-youbike-and-mobile-services

### 2026-08-11: Taiwan prepares for heavy rain and civil defense drills

Taiwan faces a week of heavy rain due to southwest winds while seven northern counties conduct civil defense drills featuring a 30-minute mobile network speed reduction.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-prepares-for-heavy-rain-and-civil-defense-drills

### 2026-08-10: Taiwan conducts 2026 Town Resilience air defense exercises

Taiwan is conducting staggered 2026 Town Resilience (Air Defense) Exercises, featuring a 30-minute mobile network speed reduction to simulate communication constraints during emergencies.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-air-defense-drills-with-mobile-network-slowdown

### 2026-08-07: Taichung to hold urban resilience air defense drill on August 10

Taichung will hold an urban resilience air defense drill on August 10, featuring a simulated 30-minute mobile network slowdown and station evacuation exercises.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taichung-to-hold-urban-resilience-air-defense-drill-on-august-10

### 2026-07-31: Taiwan Condemns China Coast Guard Patrols East of the Island

China’s coast guard patrolled east of Taiwan on 31 July, led by Xiushan and Chongming; Taiwan deployed the Taipei, condemned the moves as “fake law‑enforcement,” and pledged to defend sovereignty, while the U.S

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-coast-guard-patrols-east-of-taiwan-sparking-taipei-condemnation

### 2026-07-28: Taiwan conducts war drills to test arms production relocation amid Chinese threat

Taiwan’s Han Kuang drills (Aug 5‑14) will test relocating weapons production, mobilising civilian factories, and protecting sea lanes amid heightened Chinese coast‑guard activity and US maritime cooperation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-war-drills-to-test-arms-production-relocation-amid-chinese-threat

### 2026-07-27: China expands desert war simulations and maritime patrols around Taiwan

China is testing war scenarios for Taiwan with desert mock‑ships and has stepped up coast‑guard patrols east of the island, raising regional tension and invasion risk.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-expands-desert-war-simulations-and-maritime-patrols-around-taiwan

### 2026-07-22: Taiwan conducts mobile network slowdown drill in town resilience exercise

Taiwan added a 30‑minute mobile network slowdown to its August town‑resilience exercise, throttling 4G/5G while keeping calls, SMS and emergency services active, to test government response and public readiness

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-mobile-network-slowdown-drill-in-town-resilience-exercise

### 2026-07-20: Taiwan to Test Mobile Internet Slowdown in August Civil Defence Drills

Taiwan will slow mobile internet for 30 minutes during August civil‑defence drills in 14 northern and central cities, testing resilience amid Chinese pressure; essential services stay up.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-to-simulate-mobile-internet-slowdown-in-august-civil-defence-drills

### 2026-07-18: Taiwan to Simulate Mobile Network Slowdown in 2026 Town Resilience Exercise

Taiwan’s NCC will test mobile‑network slowdown in a 30‑minute drill on Aug 10 and 13, 2026, limiting service to calls and SMS in 14 counties.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-to-simulate-mobile-network-slowdown-in-2026-town-resilience-exercise

### 2026-07-13: Taiwan conducts Town Resilience air‑defense drills with network‑disruption simulation

Taiwan's 2026 Town Resilience air‑defense drills (Aug 7‑13) will limit mobile data and test evacuations; Chiayi City adds a multilingual 30‑minute drill on Aug 10 with fines for non‑compliance.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-town-resilience-airdefense-drills-with-networkdisruption-simulation

### 2026-07-13: Taiwan launches five‑day joint defence drill featuring Marine Corps

Taiwan started a five‑day joint defence drill on July 13, integrating all services and deploying Marine Corps units to Taipei for mobile reinforcement and decentralized command testing.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-launches-fiveday-joint-defence-drill-featuring-marine-corps

### 2026-07-09: Taiwan Strait Tensions Intensify as China Patrols Threaten Shipping and Taiwan Showcases International Support

A CSIS report flags the Taiwan Strait as China’s biggest trade vulnerability, while Taiwan took foreign lawmakers aboard a Coast Guard ship to spotlight growing Chinese patrols near Kinmen.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-strait-tensions-intensify-as-china-patrols-threaten-shipping-and-taiwan-showcases-internation

### 2026-07-07: China Tightens Diplomatic and Maritime Pressure on Taiwan

China has stepped up diplomatic, civil‑society and coast‑guard actions to isolate Taiwan in 2026, including visa bans, overflight revocations, conference cancellations and maritime incursions, while the US‑​​​​

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-tightens-diplomatic-and-maritime-pressure-on-taiwan

### 2026-07-03: China Coast Guard Begins New East Taiwan Patrol Despite Global Opposition

China’s Coast Guard launched a new law‑enforcement patrol east of Taiwan, prompting Taiwanese condemnation, vessel tracking and criticism from the US and European nations.

30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-expands-coast-guard-patrols-east-of-taiwan-heightening-regional-maritime-tensions

### 2026-07-03: Taiwan runs massive civil defense drill simulating Chinese invasion

Taiwan held a massive civil‑defence drill in Nantou, simulating a Chinese blockade, cyber‑attacks, an earthquake and a full invasion to test government continuity.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-runs-massive-civil-defense-drill-simulating-chinese-invasion

### 2026-07-03: Taiwan conducts large‑scale resilience drill simulating Chinese blockade, earthquake and invasion

Taiwan staged a large resilience drill simulating a Chinese blockade, earthquake and invasion, using US mapping tools and highlighting civil‑military integration as China dispatched warships and bombers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-largescale-resilience-drill-simulating-chinese-blockade-earthquake-and-invasion

### 2026-07-01: Taiwan Coast Guard orders ships to reject Chinese inspections amid patrols

Taiwan's Coast Guard told ships to ignore Chinese boarding attempts in east Taiwan waters, while China says its patrols are lawful to protect sovereignty, heightening grey‑zone tensions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-coast-guard-orders-ships-to-reject-chinese-inspections-amid-patrols

### 2026-06-29: Japan-China relations sour as Taiwan, trade and defence disputes intensify

Japan’s new leader flags Taiwan as a security threat, China tightens export controls and conducts naval incursions, while Japan‑Philippines border talks add to rising Japan‑China tensions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-china-relations-sour-as-taiwan-trade-and-defence-disputes-intensify

### 2026-06-29: Taiwan Coast Guard Officer Yeh Chih-sheng mixes duty and faith as China ramps up pressure

Taiwan Coast Guard first mate Yeh Chih-sheng, also a temple priest, blends duty with faith as Chinese ships increasingly cross the Taiwan Strait’s median line, prompting non‑lethal deterrence and US concern.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-coast-guard-officer-blends-duty-with-temple-rites-amid-china-tensions

### 2026-06-25: China's East Taiwan Sea Patrol Sparks Warning from US, UK, France and Germany

China conducted a special maritime patrol east of Taiwan, prompting the US, UK, France and Germany to warn it threatens regional stability and navigation freedoms.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-east-taiwan-sea-patrol-sparks-warning-from-us-uk-france-and-germany

### 2026-06-24: Taiwan boosts combat‑readiness drills amid shrinking warning time for Chinese attack

Taiwan holds five‑day combat‑readiness drills, citing a shortening warning time for a Chinese attack, while China sends its newest carrier through the Strait and accuses Taipei of separatist intent.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-boosts-combatreadiness-drills-amid-shrinking-warning-time-for-chinese-attack

### 2026-06-24: Chinese Coast Guard patrols east of Taiwan spark Western alarm

China’s Coast Guard patrols east of Taiwan, framed as law‑enforcement, provoked joint US‑UK‑France‑Germany condemnation over threats to regional stability and navigation.

25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-east-taiwan-maritime-activities-spark-regional-security-alarm

### 2026-06-23: China condemns Japan‑Philippines sea‑boundary talks in waters east of Taiwan

China denounces Japan‑Philippines talks to delineate waters east of Taiwan as illegal, asserting its maritime rights amid rising regional tensions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-condemns-japanphilippines-seaboundary-talks-in-waters-east-of-taiwan

### 2026-06-22: Taiwan launches 5‑day military drills amid high tensions with China

Taiwan has started a five‑day joint land, air and sea drill to test combat readiness as tensions with China stay high; China claims the island and warns against forced reunification.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-launches-5day-military-drills-amid-high-tensions-with-china

### 2026-06-22: Taiwan launches five‑day combat‑readiness drills amid China tension

Taiwan started a five‑day combat‑readiness drill to counter a possible Chinese attack, with tanks in Taoyuan and live‑fire exercises, as China sent aircraft and warships near the island.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-launches-fiveday-combatreadiness-drills-amid-china-tension

### 2026-06-21: Taiwan launches five‑day combat‑readiness drills amid rising China pressure

Taiwan started a five‑day combat‑readiness drill using live ammo and armored units, aimed at rapid war‑time transition, as Chinese aircraft and ships operate nearby and U.S. defence ties deepen.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-launches-fiveday-combatreadiness-drill-amid-china-tensions

### 2026-06-21: Taiwan ramps up combat drills and reservist training as China pressure rises

Taiwan launches a five‑day combat‑readiness drill and switches reservists to a mandatory 14‑day intensive training, aiming to boost defence amid heightened China pressure.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-expands-military-readiness-with-combat-drill-and-14day-reserve-training

### 2026-06-13: Taiwan condemns Chinese vessels' incursion into Itu Aba waters

Taiwan’s Coast Guard condemned China after the patrol vessel Sansha Zhifa 301 and supply ship Sansha 2 entered restricted waters around Itu Aba Island on June 13, the first such incursion, and left after orders

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-condemns-chinese-vessels-incursion-into-itu-aba-waters

### 2026-06-12: US calls on China to stop escalating pressure on Taiwan

U.S. warns China to end pressure on Taiwan, citing grey‑zone tactics after Taiwan expelled five Chinese vessels amid Japan‑Philippines maritime disputes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-calls-on-china-to-stop-escalating-pressure-on-taiwan

### 2026-06-11: Taiwan conducts HIMARS rocket drill aimed at China

Taiwan used U.S. HIMARS rockets in a live‑fire drill toward China, showcasing rapid‑deployment tactics and training against a perceived Chinese threat.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-himars-rocket-drill-aimed-at-china

### 2026-06-11: Taiwan condemns Chinese naval incursion into disputed Spratly waters

Taiwan condemned a first‑time Chinese naval entry into the restricted waters around Itu Aba in the Spratly Islands, calling it harassment and rejecting Chinese claims of a maritime “encirclement.”

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-condemns-chinese-naval-incursion-into-disputed-spratly-waters

### 2026-06-10: Taiwan conducts HIMARS missile test in defense drills

Taiwan held defence drills, firing a US‑made HIMARS missile from local launchers to demonstrate mobility and range against a potential Chinese invasion across the Taiwan Strait.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-himars-missile-test-in-defense-drills

### 2026-06-10: Taiwan launches HIMARS rockets toward China in live‑fire drill

Taiwan’s army fired limited‑range HIMARS rockets into the Taiwan Strait toward China during a live‑fire drill, simulating a defence against a possible invasion; the U.S. arms sale of 82 launchers is on hold بعد

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-launches-himars-rockets-toward-china-in-livefire-drill

### 2026-06-10: Taiwan drills mobile HIMARS rockets against China

Taiwan's army tested its new HIMARS mobile rockets, simulating strikes on Chinese forces and proving rapid fire‑and‑move capability, part of an asymmetric defence push against China.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-drills-mobile-himars-rockets-against-china

### 2026-06-10: China-Taiwan Tensions Rise Over Coast Guard Patrols East of Taiwan

China's coast guard patrols east of Taiwan, deemed lawful by Beijing, are accused by Taipei of harassing commercial ships amid heightened tensions after Japan‑Philippines maritime talks.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-taiwan-tensions-rise-over-coast-guard-patrols-east-of-taiwan

### 2026-06-10: Taiwan Fires US‑Supplied HIMARS Rockets in First Live‑Fire Drill Facing China

Taiwan held its first live‑fire HIMARS drill, firing 36 rockets into the Taiwan Strait to test rapid, precision strike capabilities amid rising China‑US tensions.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-fires-ussupplied-himars-rockets-into-taiwan-strait-toward-china

### 2026-06-09: Taiwan Accuses Chinese Coast Guard of Harassment as Strait Tensions Escalate

Taiwan alleges Chinese coast‑guard harassment of merchant ships and conducts live‑fire drills as maritime tensions rise, while Beijing cites lawful patrols amid regional boundary talks.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-accuses-chinese-coast-guard-of-harassment-as-strait-tensions-escalate

### 2026-06-09: Taiwan conducts large‑scale coastal artillery and HIMARS drill amid China tensions

Taiwan held its first HIMARS live‑fire test and a 20 km coastal‑defense drill with rockets, artillery and missiles, simulating a response to a possible Chinese invasion.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-conducts-first-himars-rocket-launch-exercise-along-western-coast

### 2026-06-09: Taiwan launches extensive west‑coast drill to repel a Chinese amphibious invasion

Taiwan held a realistic west‑coast drill using rockets, howitzers and mortars to simulate repelling a Chinese amphibious invasion, highlighting heightened Strait tensions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-launches-extensive-westcoast-drill-to-repel-a-chinese-amphibious-invasion

### 2026-06-08: China protests Japan‑Philippines maritime talks and expels Chinese vessels near Taiwan

Japan and the Philippines began talks to delimit maritime zones near Taiwan, prompting China to label the move illegal and deploy warnings; Taiwan later expelled four Chinese vessels from its southern waters, a

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-protests-japanphilippines-maritime-talks-and-expels-chinese-vessels-near-taiwan

### 2026-06-07: China launches special maritime control operation east of Taiwan

China began a special maritime control operation east of Taiwan, deploying four coast‑guard ships after Japan‑Philippines EEZ talks, asserting jurisdiction while Taiwan denies any Chinese sovereign rights.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-deploys-large-vessels-near-taiwan-heightening-maritime-tensions

### 2026-06-07: Taiwan Expels Four Chinese Vessels from Restricted Waters

Taiwan's coast guard expelled four Chinese vessels that entered restricted waters near its southern tip, amid heightened maritime tensions following Japan‑Philippines boundary talks.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-forces-four-chinese-vessels-out-of-restricted-waters

### 2026-06-07: Taiwan Deploys Coast Guard Vessels After Detecting Chinese Ships Near Island

Taiwan's Coast Guard sent over five vessels to counter four Chinese ships that entered waters east of the island, amid China‑Japan‑Philippines maritime talks and rising regional tensions.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-deploys-coast-guard-vessels-after-detecting-chinese-ships-near-island

### 2026-06-06: Taiwan Responds to Chinese Coast Guard Operations in Eastern Waters

In early June 2026 Taiwan reported Chinese aircraft, coast‑guard vessels and a survey ship operating near its eastern ADIZ and the Pratas Islands, calling the moves provocative and rejecting China’s claim that

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-flags-coordinated-chinese-coast-guard-moves-near-pratas-islands-and-east-waters

### 2026-06-05: Taiwan-China Coast Guard Standoff Near Pratas (Dongsha) Islands

On 5 June, Chinese and Taiwanese coast guard ships clashed near the Pratas Islands, with Taiwan calling it a “standoff” after the Chinese vessel entered waters Taiwan claims as restricted.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-china-coast-guard-standoff-near-pratas-dongsha-islands

### 2026-06-03: Taiwan Coast Guard Confronts Chinese Vessel Near Pratas Islands

Taiwan's Coast Guard confronted Chinese cutter 3501 in restricted waters near the Pratas Islands, leading to a hours‑long standoff and warnings that the move threatens regional peace and maritime trade.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwans-undersea-and-coastal-security-drives-australian-policy-and-regional-tensions

### 2026-05-24: Taiwan and China Coast Guards Clash Near Pratas Islands in South China Sea

Taiwan and China coast guard vessels faced off near the Pratas Islands for a second day, exchanging radio warnings over sovereignty claims amid heightened regional tension.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-and-china-coast-guards-clash-near-pratas-islands-in-south-china-sea

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Cite as: Taiwan maritime tension, drills and Chinese simulations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/taiwanchina-maritime-clashes-near-pratas-islands