Tensions between China and Taiwan are once again rising around the Pratas Islands, located in the South China Sea. Beijing says its coast guard patrols in the area are intended to maintain maritime security and order. Taipei, however, views China’s actions as an attempt to expand its influence and establish control over the surrounding waters.
Taiwan’s government rejects China’s territorial claims, maintaining that only the people of Taiwan have the right to decide the island’s future. Beijing, by contrast, considers Taiwan part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force if necessary.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Zhang Han, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea, including the Pratas Islands and their surrounding waters. According to Zhang, Chinese coast guard vessels are operating in accordance with Chinese law and helping to maintain normal navigation and maritime activities.
Beijing also claims that the patrols serve to protect the lawful interests and safety of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, the Chinese spokesperson accused Taiwan’s ruling party of pursuing a separatist agenda, arguing that this policy increases the risk of military confrontation.
The latest escalation follows an incident in which Taiwan’s coast guard used water cannons against a Chinese fishing boat. In response, Chinese authorities warned Taiwan that it would have to bear the consequences. According to Taiwan, two incidents have been reported since Sunday involving Chinese coast guard vessels approaching the Pratas Islands. Taipei considers these actions provocative.
The Pratas Islands occupy a strategically important location between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong. They have no permanent civilian population and lie more than 400 kilometers from Taiwan. Security experts believe that the islands’ geographical distance from Taiwan makes them vulnerable to potential Chinese military action.
Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, said at a forum in Taipei on Tuesday that China is attempting to portray the Taiwan issue as an internal administrative matter and establish de facto control over the waters surrounding the island. In his assessment, Beijing’s policy could become increasingly assertive and provocative, aimed at extending China’s jurisdiction over areas around Taiwan.
As Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to seek confirmation for a possible fourth term next year, the goal of “national reunification” with Taiwan remains a key political priority for Beijing. Against this backdrop, developments around the Pratas Islands demonstrate that the dispute extends beyond territorial claims, encompassing maritime security, jurisdiction, and the regional balance of power.
