Taipei says it is the first time mainland Chinese government vessels have entered waters near Taiping
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenAlbee Zhangin ShanghaiPublished: 9:51pm, 14 Jun 2026Taiwan has for the first time reported mainland Chinese law enforcement vessels near an island it controls in the South China Sea, a development experts say could form the basis of Beijing’s effective control in the waters.
Taiwan said it was the first time mainland Chinese government vessels had entered the Taipei-defined restricted waters near Taiping – also known as Itu Aba – and that both vessels were driven away by its coastguard at 8.43am.
Experts said Beijing’s movement around the islands was an attempt to assert sovereignty through concrete action, which could form the basis for effective control in future.
