Taiwan Says ‘Significant’ Rise in China Maritime Activity Near Island

Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese maritime activity around the island democracy last month, as Beijing intensifies its pressure on Taipei.

A Taiwanese coast guard official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that data showed a "significant increase" in Chinese ships conducting "grey zone harassment" in June. A total of 263 Chinese vessels, including coast guard, rescue, and research ships, were detected in waters around Taiwan and its outer islands, up from 200 in May and 171 in June 2025. Warships were not included in these figures.

The official noted that the "types or the number of government vessels involved in these grey-zone activities, there was a significant increase." China launched "law enforcement" patrols east of Taiwan last month, which Taipei has labeled as "provocative" and "expansionism in disguise." Previously, China Coast Guard vessels were mainly involved in military drills around Taiwan.

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Whether in terms of the types or the number of government vessels involved in these grey-zone activities, there was a significant increase.

During these operations, the China Coast Guard for the first time radioed cargo ships passing Taiwan to inquire about their crew and destinations. A senior government official suggested China's aim is to disrupt shipping and "prevent Taiwan from receiving supplies" by blocking commercial ships. This strategy, he explained, resembles "quarantine-like measures to carry out an anaconda strategy against Taiwan."

In response, Taiwan plans to hold live drills to practice its response to potential Chinese quarantine or blockade scenarios. The official also pointed out that China's newer coast guard ships are military-grade vessels transferred from the navy, making them more robust than Taiwan's fleet. These Chinese ships often operate in pairs, placing a "considerable burden" on Taiwan's coast guard to monitor their extensive operations.

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What it is trying to do is put into practice what it has long talked about -- using quarantine-like measures to carry out an anaconda strategy against Taiwan.