SENEGAL-ECONOMY-FISHING
Taiwanese coast guard vessels are conducting maritime patrols. A water cannon incident near the Dongsha Islands prompted a warning from Beijing, highlighting the ongoing disagreements between Taiwan and China over maritime law enforcement, jurisdiction, and gray-area activities. The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not a photograph of the incident.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard used a water cannon against a Chinese fishing boat in waters near the Dongsha Islands, prompting Beijing to warn that Taiwan would have to bear the consequences. The incident has once again highlighted enforcement disputes in the waters around Dongsha, as well as tensions between Taiwan and China over maritime activities and jurisdiction.

According to a Reuters report, Taiwan’s Coast Guard said the Chinese fishing boat failed to leave the restricted waters after being warned, leading a Coast Guard vessel to use a water cannon. The boat later suffered engine trouble and was towed away by another Chinese vessel nearby.

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said China holds sovereignty over the Dongsha Islands and surrounding waters. He criticised Taiwan’s handling of Chinese vessels as dangerous and said Beijing would protect the lives and property of Chinese citizens, but did not provide further details about the specific “consequences” he referred to.

Taiwan, meanwhile, said the Coast Guard was carrying out routine maritime enforcement and had taken prudent and proportionate measures. The two sides remain fundamentally divided over jurisdiction in the waters and the legality of vessel activity there.

The Dongsha Islands lie between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, more than 400 kilometres from Taiwan proper. The Coast Guard is responsible for routine security and law enforcement in the area. Because of its remote location, security experts have continued to monitor the islands’ strategic significance in the regional security environment.

Reuters also reported that Taiwan security officials had warned that China has increased the activities of maritime militias, research vessels and other ships in recent years. Such actions could amount to what is known as “gray-zone” pressure. While these activities may not reach the level of direct armed conflict, they could increase enforcement pressures and pose potential risks to shipping and critical infrastructure.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense also reported at the time that Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels were operating around Taiwan. The intersection of maritime enforcement, military patrols and sovereignty disputes has made risk management in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters more complex.

It remains to be seen whether the incident will lead to more maritime patrols, diplomatic exchanges or enforcement confrontations. For Taiwan, balancing maritime security, enforcement of the law at sea and the need to prevent tensions from escalating will remain an ongoing challenge.