Chinese Ship Leaves After Standoff Between Coast Guards Near Taiwan-Controlled Islands

A Chinese coast guard vessel left the waters near Taiwanese-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea on Sunday after a tense standoff and arguments between China and Taiwan’s coast guards.

According to Taiwan’s coast guard, it spotted a Chinese ship heading to the islands and sent its own ship, which broadcast the warning, “Please do not destroy peace. You should return and strive for democracy. That is the correct way to serve your country.”

The warning could be heard in the video provided by Taiwan’s Coast Guard.

In return, the Chinese ship broadcast that it was on a routine mission and reiterated China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over Pratas, which led to verbal sparring.

After some time, the Chinese vessel sailed away from the islands.

A Taiwan coast guard official said that China’s claims are unlawful and baseless, and so was its stay near Taiwanese territory.

The official added that this was the second time this month that they had to chase away a Chinese ship operating in its waters.

The Pratas is an atoll and also a Taiwanese national park, and is not heavily defended by Taiwan, whose coast guard, not the military, guards it.

The islands lie between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, and are vulnerable to Chinese attacks due to their being more than 400 kilometres away from Taiwan.

However, China has recently increased its military and naval presence around the island, claiming democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory.

Taipei is on high alert after the Chinese President reportedly discussed Taiwan with the U.S President Donald Trump in Beijing this month.

Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu posted on X about the 100 Chinese vessels presently in the first island chain, an area spanning from Japan through Taiwan and into the Philippines.