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

Mainland China

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

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The Philippines

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

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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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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Chinese coast guards use a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: China Coast Guard/Xinhua
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.

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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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 coastguard vessels left a Chinese base on Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands on Thursday and returned on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images
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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A Chinese coastguard ship (right) fires a water cannon at a Philippine vessel near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the South China Sea on October 12. Photo: Philippine coastguard/AP
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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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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China says it has taken “control measures” against two Philippine vessels near the Sierra Madre, a warship that has been grounded on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, although it did not say when. Photo: X/Armed Forces of the Philippines
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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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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Some analysts suggested the Chinese destroyer had tried to intercept the faster Philippine ship but had misjudged the manoeuvre. Photo: AP
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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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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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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A Chinese maritime surveillance vessel and a Japanese ship pass near the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. Photo: Kyodo
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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The small, uninhabited islands are a major source of friction. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

China coastguard claims ‘sovereign jurisdiction’ of Sandy Cay in South China Sea

State media reports CCG officers ‘exercising maritime control’ on one of the reefs in the Spratly Islands also claimed by Philippines.

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China-Japan relations

China coastguard drives off Japanese fishing boats in escalating island dispute

Tokyo accuses Beijing of stoking tensions after Chinese ships expel four vessels from the vicinity of the Diaoyu Islands.

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China-South Korea relations

Yellow Sea stand-off over ‘steel structure’ raises China-South Korean tensions

Last month’s confrontation between coastguards began when Chinese vessels blocked South Korean inspection of an object off Jeju Island, reports say.

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An attempt by the Onnuri, a South Korean marine research and science vessel, to inspect a steel structure in the Yellow Sea last month was resisted by Chinese vessels, leading to a coastguard stand-off, according to reports. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Spotting of China’s new Z-20 helicopter model suggests coming coastguard role

The medium-lift helicopter is seen as China’s answer to America’s Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.

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The Z-20 medium-lift helicopter has a longer range and higher capacity than the smaller Z-9 that is usually deployed on Chinese coastguard frigates. Photo: Weibo
Taiwan

Mainland China’s Taiwan military presence

This three-part series looks at how Beijing is using its military and coast guard to put pressure on Taipei.

Taiwan

Why mainland China’s ‘second navy’ is becoming increasingly active around Taiwan

As well as stepping up patrols, coastguards are training with the navy triggering speculation about their role in any attack on the island.

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