China Warns Taiwan Over South China Sea Coast Guard Incident

China has warned Taiwan of potential consequences after its Coast Guard used a water cannon against a Chinese fishing boat near the disputed Pratas Islands in the South China Sea, escalating tensions as Beijing increases military activities around the island.

Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua said Wednesday that Beijing holds "indisputable sovereignty" over the Pratas Islands and surrounding waters. He accused Taiwan of endangering Chinese fishermen and deliberately provoking cross-strait tensions.

The confrontation occurred earlier this month when a Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Chinese fishing boat that allegedly ignored warnings to leave restricted waters near the Taiwan-controlled atoll.

According to Taiwan's Coast Guard, the Chinese vessel subsequently experienced engine failure and was towed away by another Chinese boat.

Chen defended Chinese fishing operations in the area as lawful and warned that Taiwan must "bear all consequences" resulting from its actions. However, he did not specify what measures Beijing might take.

A Taiwanese official familiar with the incident rejected Beijing's accusations, telling Reuters that the Coast Guard conducted routine law enforcement and responded carefully and proportionately.

The Pratas Islands, located between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, are considered strategically vulnerable because they sit more than 400 kilometers from Taiwan. Although the islands have an airstrip, they lack a permanent civilian population and are administered primarily by Taiwan's Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese officials have raised concerns about China's expanding "grey zone" operations, which involve coercive activities designed to pressure Taiwan without triggering direct military conflict.

Lii Wen, deputy secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council, said Beijing increasingly deploys maritime militia boats, research vessels and other ships to strengthen its presence around Taiwan.

He warned that such operations could threaten transportation networks and critical infrastructure.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry also reported another Chinese joint combat readiness patrol Wednesday involving 13 military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets, alongside an unspecified number of naval vessels.

Separately, China's Defense Ministry confirmed that the aircraft carrier Liaoning and its accompanying warships were conducting exercises in the Western Pacific.

Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and rejects Taipei's authority over the Pratas Islands. Taiwan's government maintains that the island governs itself and rejects China's territorial claims.

The latest maritime confrontation highlights growing security risks in the South China Sea as Chinese military and Coast Guard activities intensify around Taiwan.