Taiwan coastguard uses water cannons to warn off mainland Chinese fishing vessel

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) utilized water cannons to compel a Chinese fishing vessel, the Jin Sha, to discontinue operations near Dongsha Island in the South China Sea. The intervention took place on October 1, 27 nautical miles east of the Taiwanese-controlled Dongsha Island, otherwise known as Pratas Island. The CGA’s patrol vessel Yunlin initiated its water cannon for approximately 90 seconds, directing the stream towards the vessel’s wheelhouse as a warning after an initial 30-second water spray in the air, according to the administration’s statement.

The incident coincided with China’s National Day celebrations. On Wednesday and Thursday prior, the CGA apprehended two additional mainland fishing vessels near the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait, detaining 14 crew members in total. Earlier that week, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels had reportedly patrolled waters east of Taiwan, as tensions between the two nations continue to escalate.

The Jin Sha, alongside another Chinese fishing boat, the Yue Hui Dong Yu 75066, was observed anchored eight nautical miles inside Taiwan’s designated restricted waters for mainland vessels. Despite receiving three radio warnings, the Jin Sha refused to depart. The CGA stated that the water cannon was used to avoid the crew members on deck, and the spraying ceased as soon as the vessel began to leave the area.

No official injuries were reported, but the Jin Sha sustained engine failure and lost power following the intervention. The CGA supplied the fishermen with 35 meals at their request before the disabled vessel was towed outside Taiwan’s restricted waters later on Thursday. The vessel was subsequently transferred to a Chinese work vessel, Haiyang Shiyou 681, for return transport on Friday morning.

Taiwan claims sovereignty over the Dongsha Islands in the northeastern South China Sea, while China also asserts territorial claims. According to a report released by the CGA on September 23, the administration had detained nine mainland Chinese small boats in eight incidents within Dongsha waters in 2026. The CGA also documented numerous encounters with Chinese coast guard vessels near Dongsha, including 12 instances where Chinese coastguard ships were expelled from the restricted waters between January and early September 2026.

Under its regulations concerning relations with mainland China, Taipei designates two types of controlled waters: the "prohibited waters" within 12 nautical miles from the sea baseline and the "restricted waters" extending up to 24 nautical miles. Mainland vessels entering these zones without authorization may face enforcement actions by Taiwanese authorities.

Beijing does not acknowledge these restrictions, viewing Taiwan as an integral part of China that could be forcibly reunited if necessary. While most countries, including the United States, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, Washington has pledged not to support any effort to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to providing Taiwan with weapons for defense.