China Expands Coast Guard Patrols East of Taiwan Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
On July 31, 2026, the China Coast Guard intensified its presence by conducting "routine law enforcement patrols" in waters east of Taiwan, deploying the vessel Xiushan. Taipei’s Coast Guard Administration condemned the move as "fake law enforcement" intended to normalize Beijing's control over the self-governed island's surrounding waters. This maneuver follows recent live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait and reflects a broader "gray zone" strategy by the People's Liberation Army to challenge regional stability.