China coast guard ship withdraws after tense standoff with Taiwan near Pratas Islands

Reuters reported that the Chinese ship broadcast that it was carrying out a routine mission and asserted China’s “sovereignty and jurisdiction” over the Pratas. Taiwan responded over the radio, rejecting Beijing’s claim and warning the ship to leave the area.

Why the Pratas Islands matter

The Pratas Islands have increasingly drawn strategic attention because of their location at the northern edge of the South China Sea. Security analysts view the islands as particularly sensitive because they lie more than 400 km from Taiwan’s main island and are lightly defended, with Taiwan’s coast guard, rather than the military, responsible for security there.

The incident comes amid heightened cross-strait tensions. Reuters noted that Taiwan has remained on alert over possible Chinese action after recent discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump touched on Taiwan.

Taiwan’s coast guard also said it had earlier this month driven away the Chinese research vessel Tongji from waters near the Pratas for the second time. In January, Taiwan reported that a Chinese reconnaissance drone briefly flew over the islands, an episode Taipei described as provocative.

China claims Taiwan as its territory, a position rejected by Taipei. Beijing has steadily increased military and coast guard activity around the island in recent years, with Taiwan warning that the pressure now extends beyond the Taiwan Strait into surrounding waters including the South China Sea.