Bonnie Glaser: China Coast Guard Harasses Commercial Ships in Taiwan Waters, Escalating Dangerous Trend

Beijing's gray-zone incursions against Taiwan are intensifying. Recently, Chinese government vessels entered Taiwan's eastern waters under the pretext of Japan-Philippines negotiations, asserting jurisdiction and demanding port entry and departure information from passing cargo ships. Bonnie Glaser, director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund in Washington, stated in an interview, "This escalation is a dangerous trend."

Chinese coast guard ships have been frequently operating near Taiwan and Japan. Chinese government vessels, citing ongoing exclusive economic zone (EEZ) talks between Japan and the Philippines, have used coast guard and maritime ships to intrude into Taiwan's eastern waters, with Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration conducting parallel monitoring throughout.

Additionally, a Chinese coast guard vessel entered the EEZ south of Japan's Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture earlier this month, asserting jurisdiction in the area for the first time and remaining active nearby until the 8th.

Regarding the escalating gray-zone pressure on Taiwan, Bonnie Glaser responded via email to Central News Agency's inquiry, stating, "There is no doubt that Beijing is exerting greater pressure on Taiwan and on countries strengthening their relations with Taiwan."

Glaser pointed to recent examples around Taiwan, including Chinese coast guard operations near the restricted waters around Taiping Island and in proximity to the Dongsha Islands.

Taiwan's Coast Guard previously reported that Chinese coast guard vessel '3501' entered restricted waters near Dongsha on the 5th. On the 11th, two Chinese government vessels entered the prohibited waters around Taiping Island for the first time—marking the first such intrusion—remaining for 15 minutes in a provocation against Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to jointly counter China's illegal actions.

Glaser added, "In a particularly concerning incident, the China Coast Guard has even interfered with commercial shipping off Taiwan's coast, asserting jurisdiction and demanding vessels provide origin and destination information. This escalation is a dangerous trend."

The Coast Guard Administration reported that during the intrusion into Taiwan's eastern waters, Chinese government vessels falsely asserted jurisdiction over three passing cargo ships, broadcasting demands for port entry and departure information. Taiwan's patrol vessels immediately responded firmly: "China is violating international law; you need not respond to this harassment."

Furthermore, foreign media reported that four New Zealand lawmakers who visited Taiwan in May were subsequently banned by China from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau for one year. Glaser analyzed that as Washington and Beijing recently reached consensus on "constructive strategic stability," China may view this as an opportunity to further intensify such coercive measures.