Taipei, May 9 – Taiwan’s Coast Guard said on Wednesday it had deployed a water cannon to drive away a Chinese fishing vessel that had entered waters near the disputed Dongsha Islands, marking a rare reversal of tactics commonly used by Chinese authorities in the South China Sea.
The incident, which occurred on May 3, involved a Chinese boat identified as Yue Shen Shan Yu 11366 operating illegally in the vicinity of the Dongsha Atoll, a marine national park administered by Taiwan. Taiwanese patrol vessels Taichung and Hsun Hu No. 9 responded and forced the vessel out using non-lethal means, including a high-pressure water cannon, the Coast Guard said.
Footage of the encounter circulated on social media, echoing similar scenes of Chinese Coast Guard ships spraying Philippine vessels in contested waters. China has not acknowledged the incident.
The Dongsha Islands, also known as the Pratas Islands, lie in the northern part of the South China Sea and are claimed by both China and Taiwan. Taiwan has banned fishing in the area to protect marine ecosystems and said it had intercepted seven vessels and expelled over 30 boats from the waters around Dongsha since the start of the year.
The standoff comes just days after Beijing imposed its annual fishing moratorium in the South China Sea on May 1, aimed at preserving fish stocks. Taiwan said it would maintain a 24-hour watch in the region using multipurpose patrol vessels to enforce its sovereignty and environmental protections.
Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have been rising in recent months, particularly at sea. In February, two Chinese fishermen died during a chase by Taiwanese authorities off the coast of Kinmen, prompting a sharp rebuke from Beijing. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military and maritime pressure on the self-ruled island. On Monday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported 16 Chinese military aircraft and vessels operating near the island.
Analysts warn the maritime standoff reflects growing regional instability amid China’s assertive tactics. The U.S. Department of Defense has labeled China’s massive fishing fleet, supported by the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia, as an unofficial arm of Beijing’s expansionist agenda in contested waters.
The incident also comes as Taiwan modernizes its defense capabilities with U.S. support, including purchases of F-16 fighter jets, Patriot missile systems, and HIMARS launchers. China has conducted a series of military drills simulating blockades and amphibious assaults on Taiwan, raising concerns in Washington and among regional allies.
U.S. Indo-Pacific commander Admiral Samuel Paparo recently warned that China’s rapid military expansion, especially its naval shipbuilding capacity, is narrowing the technological gap with the United States.
