Chinese frigates off the coast of Taiwan. Taipei sent a ship to Lan Yu Island

Taiwanese Coast Guard sent a unit to monitor two Chinese frigates operating near Lan Yu Island. Taipei stresses that ships have not breached territorial waters, but their presence is reflected in the increasing pressure of the PRC around Taiwan.

Chinese frigates near Lan Yu

According to information provided by Taiwanese services in the Lan Yu Island area, two Navy People's Liberation Army rocket frigates were observed: Bayannur (551) and Tongliao (554). Ships operated near an island in the Pacific Ocean, but, as highlighted in the Communication, did not violate Taiwanese territorial waters.

Despite this, Taipei decided to send its own unit to monitor the situation. The Chinese authorities considered the presence of Chinese ships as an element of political pressure and demonstration forces in the region.

‘The sovereignty of the Republic of China shall not be affected. We are determined to defend sovereignty and ensure the safety of our waters," said Taiwanese Coast Guard.

Sea border dispute

Interestingly, the incident coincided in time with the announcement of talks between Japan and the Philippines regarding the setting of sea borders. Beijing considers some of the areas covered by the planned negotiations to be its own territory and has for years been opposed to actions by the countries of the region which could undermine Chinese claims.

Chinese Coast Guard has previously reported patrolling in the area. According to Beijing, their objective was to safeguard the interests of the PRC in relation to the activities of Tokyo and Manila.

In an official communication, the Chinese side called on Japan and the Philippines to "immediately stop illegal activities".

Increasing activity around Taiwan

The presence of Chinese warships around Taiwan is not a new phenomenon. Beijing conducts military activities almost daily near the island, using both warships, Coast Guard units and aviation.

In recent years, there has been a particular increase in the number of Chinese ships crossing the Taiwan Straits and operations conducted in the waters around the island. These actions are military and political in nature, forming part of the pressure on authorities in Taipei.

From a regional security perspective, however, the situation has a broader dimension. The dispute does not concern only China-Taiwan relations. In the background, Beijing's claims to a large part of the South China Sea remain, covering areas located in the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and other countries of the region.

As a result, even seemingly routine warship patrols increasingly become part of wider competition for control over some of the world's most important shipping routes.