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China’s coastguard

China’s coastguard
Latest news and updates on China’s coastguard. The paramilitary force, which is used mainly for search and rescue and other maritime policing functions, has been on the front line of tensions in the East and South China seas.
Taiwanese officials have warned that the sustained presence of mainland Chinese government vessels across parts of the first island chain aims to establish a “new status quo”. Photo: Xinhua
Taiwan

Mainland China’s ship activity near Taiwan hits record for third month in a row

Beijing has ramped up its law-enforcement and survey operations around island since Tokyo and Manila announced boundary talks.

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Taiwan

US team in Taiwan to train coastguards amid surge in mainland Chinese activity

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Taiwan

US posts photo of coastguard working with Taiwan after Beijing starts patrols

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South China Sea

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

Chinese coastguard use water cannon during maritime stand-off, the third with the Philippines in the South China Sea since Monday.

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The Philippines has accused China of “a series of water cannon attacks and dangerous manoeuvres” while the Chinese coastguard says its actions were "lawful". Photo: X/@jaytaryela
Taiwan

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

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Taiwan

Is Beijing preparing for submarine action with maritime survey east of Taiwan?

US military experts warn that oceanographic surveys like the Xiang Yang Hong 22 mission should be regarded as ‘inherently dual-use’.

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Taiwan

What does Beijing’s response to Tokyo-Manila boundary talks mean for Taiwan?

The Chinese coastguard’s rapid growth in recent years has included an evolution of its roles and relationships with the PLA.

The patrol on Monday marked an expansion of the coastguard’s traditional area of focus. Photo: CCTV
Mainland China

China slams ‘provocative acts’ after driving Dutch warship away from Paracels

PLA says it used electronic interference and warnings against Dutch frigate as tensions widen in South China Sea.

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The Philippines

Philippines strengthens South China Sea grip with permanent base on Thitu Island

The island, known locally as Pagasa, is home to about 400 Filipinos, whom China accuses of living there illegally.

South China Sea

Chinese coastguard reveals growing reliance on drones at Scarborough Shoal

Lunar New Year post gives rare look at the role of uncrewed aircraft in training and operations near disputed South China Sea reef.

Qiu Canhui operates a drone aboard the Chinese coastguard vessel Wanshan near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on February 11. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Opinion | Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

China and the Philippines are both signalling openness to diplomacy alongside continued military flexing, but this may not be sustainable.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
South China Sea

Chinese coastguard rescues Filipino sailors near Scarborough Shoal

PLA Navy also deploys plane as search continues for missing crew from capsized vessel.

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The Philippines

Philippine navy ‘up to the challenge’ of defending territory in South China Sea

Manila is banking on modern ships and global alliances to challenge China’s increasing presence in the contentious waters.

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South China Sea

China accuses Philippines of ‘premeditated’ provocations near Sabina Shoal

Meanwhile, Manila says Philippine fishing boats were targeted by Chinese coastguard water cannons near disputed South China Sea reef.

A Chinese coastguard ship is seen deploying a water cannon towards a smaller vessel in a video shared on Saturday by the Philippine coastguard. Photo: Handout
China-South Korea relations

China, South Korean ships in 15-hour Yellow Sea stand-off last month: report

US-based think tank details latest encounter over Chinese-built structures in contested maritime zone.

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China’s Shen Lan 1 is seen from above. It is one of the controversial structures recently built in a contested region of the Yellow Sea that is fuelling tensions with South Korea. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Chinese coastguard patrols reefs controlled by Vietnam in South China Sea

Three ships circled land features, including some where Vietnam has built facilities, last week, according to maritime tracking data.

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The Philippines

Doubts greet Philippines-China coastguard deal to calm disputed waters

Analysts are cautiously optimistic about the proposed pact as past efforts to lower the temperature in the waterway have had limited success.

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The Philippines

Philippines’ new hi-tech frigate aims to boost naval defences, but is it enough?

The BRP Diego Silang guided-missile frigate marks a milestone, but analysts say Manila is still playing catch-up and mostly relies on the US.

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Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr (centre) stands alongside other officials and sailors at the launch ceremony of the BRP Diego Silang frigate on Monday. Photo: Facebook/PhilippineNavy
The Philippines

Philippines warns China not to cross ‘red line’ over grounded warship

The Philippine military says it has noted a surge in Chinese maritime activity near BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.

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South China Sea

South China Sea: Beijing asserts ‘control measures’ against Philippine ships

Philippine military says there is an increase in Chinese vessels, including coastguard and militia ships, near shoal.

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South China Sea

Philippines assures China of restraint after ship clashes – will tensions ease?

The recent collision involving two Chinese vessels and other developments have led to a risky situation in the South China Sea, analysts say.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel with a damaged bow after a collision with a Chinese navy vessel on August 11 near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Manila says the Philippine coastguard – not the navy – would continue to lead operations in the disputed waters. Photo: EPA
South China Sea

Beijing slams Philippine ships in first comment on South China Sea collision

Philippine vessels ‘severely jeopardised’ safety of Chinese ship crew after ‘illegally entering’ disputed waters, defence ministry says.

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Screen grab from Philippine coastguard footage appears to show the purported collision between Chinese coastguard and military vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Beijing seeks to deter as it expands presence in waters near Philippines, Taiwan

Chinese coastguard ships were seen ‘meandering’ off Batanes last week in the latest move aimed at deterrence, according to analysts.

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South China Sea

How recent collision may prompt China to rethink how coastguard and navy operate

Incident that badly damaged a coastguard vessel has raised questions about whether the forces need better training on how to work together.

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South China Sea

Collision between Chinese ships expected to escalate tension in South China Sea

Analysts predict China will move to restore its image at sea while ramping up exercises to improve navy-coastguard coordination.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel collided with a PLA Navy ship, numbered 164, around 10 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, resulting in substantial damage to the coastguard vessel. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
South China Sea

China’s coastguard tows Philippine ship after tense maritime clash in new video

Beijing uses strongest language yet to describe South China Sea confrontations with Manila in footage aired by CCTV.

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Footage released by CCTV on Friday shows a six-minute confrontation at Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Renai Jiao, in the South China Sea. Photo: Junhao
Japan

Japan flags record 216 days of Chinese ships near disputed islands

The unprecedented streak of Chinese vessel sightings was capped off by four coastguard vessels that were observed on Sunday, Tokyo said.

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China-Japan relations

China-Japan dispute flares up after ‘ultranationalists’ fly plane over Diaoyus

Beijing blames extremist ‘activists’ for an incident over the disputed territory that prompted a flurry of diplomatic protests.

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