Beijing Steps Up Gray-Zone Operations Around Taiwan and the South China Sea

Taiwan has condemned a Chinese military patrol around the disputed Democracy Reef in the South China Sea, calling the operation “unsafe, irresponsible, and highly provocative” as Beijing continues expanding its military and maritime presence across the region.

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command announced on Sept. 2 that it had conducted what it called a “combat-readiness patrol” around Huangyan Island, known in Taiwan as Democracy Reef, and the surrounding waters and airspace. The command said Chinese forces had continued strengthening patrols and surveillance around the reef since August.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Chinese forces also attempted to interfere with the normal activities of aircraft from other countries through dangerous flight maneuvers. The ministry said it “strongly condemns” Beijing’s actions and reiterated Taiwan’s opposition to unilateral efforts to expand control in the South China Sea through unlawful claims, gray-zone coercion, militarization, or other activities that undermine regional stability.

RELATED: China Expands Coast Guard Patrols East of Taiwan, Raising Blockade Concerns

Taipei also called on Beijing to abide by international law and resolve territorial disputes peacefully. “Taiwan will continue working with regional partners and like-minded countries to preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea, freedom of navigation and overflight, and a free, open, peaceful, and stable international order,” the ministry said.

Maritime activity around Taiwan surges

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The South China Sea operation comes as Chinese maritime activity around Taiwan has also increased significantly. According to Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration, 244 Chinese vessels were detected around Taiwan’s main island in July, the highest monthly total on record. Roughly 60 percent were China Coast Guard vessels, while the remainder included research ships and other government-operated vessels.

The growing presence reflects a wider shift in Beijing’s gray-zone strategy around Taiwan. Rather than relying exclusively on large-scale military aircraft deployments, China has increasingly used coast guard vessels, government ships, and other non-military assets to maintain a sustained presence while blurring the distinction between civilian law enforcement and military activity.

Craig Singleton, senior director of the China Program at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Taiwan’s Central News Agency that the increasing number of Chinese coast guard and research vessels operating east of Taiwan deserves particular attention.

Those waters would be strategically important during a conflict, including for anti-submarine operations and for U.S. and allied forces attempting to approach Taiwan. Singleton said the activity indicates that China is collecting “practical operational data” while becoming more accustomed to operating farther from the Chinese mainland.

He said Taiwan cannot match China ship-for-ship and should instead prioritize persistent surveillance, unmanned systems, and the ability to rapidly identify and publicize Chinese vessel movements. For Washington, Singleton recommended greater information sharing and closer coordination among the United States, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines in waters east and south of Taiwan.

Patrols move farther east

Despite global pushback, China’s coast guard has expanded operations east of Taiwan since June, an area that would be vital in any future conflict because it could serve as an approach route for U.S. and allied forces. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring the self-governed island under its control, by force if necessary. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, and tensions have risen in recent years as China has increased military and coast guard activity around the island.

Beginning Sept. 3, a China Coast Guard formation led by the Putuoshan began what Beijing described as “regular law-enforcement patrols” in the area. China’s Ministry of Natural Resources also said its Second Institute of Oceanography conducted a comprehensive marine geophysical survey east of Taiwan between Aug. 10 and Aug. 31.

The activity points to a broader effort by Beijing to establish a more routine presence in waters farther from the Chinese mainland while collecting information on maritime conditions that could have both civilian and military applications.