Chinese Coast Guard Intensifies Destabilizing Patrols East of Taiwan
The China Coast Guard, led by the vessel Xiushan, intensified 'special maritime law enforcement operations' in waters east of Taiwan on August 2-3, 2026. The U.S. State Department officially labeled these patrols 'deeply destabilizing,' as they occur in maritime areas administered by Taipei for over 70 years. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected five PLA aircraft and eight PLAN vessels operating in its vicinity, responding by deploying the 4,000-tonne Chiayi-class patrol vessel Taipei to monitor.