The Pacific waters off Taiwan are considered vital for wartime resupply routes, and the deployment suggests Beijing is expanding its pressure campaign to a new front. Taipei believes China is testing how its military, coast guard, and ostensibly civilian vessels can coordinate their movements to isolate the island in a future conflict.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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China Maritime Militia Patrols Taiwan East Coast for First Time
Geopolitics13 days ago
The presence of a Chinese maritime militia vessel off Hualien in August marks the first known instance of such a craft appearing off Taiwan's east coast. The vessel operated more than 30 nautical miles from shore alongside a Chinese coast guard ship and a research vessel. Taipei officials identified the activity as part of coordinated maritime harassment drills aimed at practicing for a potential naval blockade of the island.
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