In a striking reversal of the typical narrative in the contested South China Sea, Taiwan’s Coast Guard sprayed water cannons at a Chinese fishing vessel that had illegally entered its waters near the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands. The incident, which took place on May 3, marks a rare assertive move by Taiwan, a country more accustomed to being on the receiving end of such confrontations, particularly at the hands of the Chinese Coast Guard.
The Chinese fishing vessel, identified as Yue Shen Shan Yu 11366, was spotted in prohibited waters near the Dongsha Atoll National Park by two Taiwan Coast Guard vessels—Taichung and Hsun Hu No. 9. After multiple warnings went unheeded, the Taiwanese vessels employed water cannons to repel the intruder. Dramatic footage of the incident has since surfaced on social media, drawing both applause and alarm.
The footage, uploaded on the platform X (formerly Twitter), quickly gained traction, showing Taiwanese ships directing powerful jets of water at the Chinese vessel until it exited the restricted zone. The incident is reminiscent of the tactics frequently employed by the Chinese Coast Guard, especially against Filipino fishing boats in contested waters. However, this time, the script was flipped.
The Dongsha Islands, controlled by Taiwan but claimed by China, are located in the northern reaches of the South China Sea. They are part of an ecological treasure trove now protected by Taiwan’s Dongsha Atoll National Park, where all forms of fishing and angling are strictly prohibited to preserve the delicate marine environment.
Despite the ban, illegal fishing by Chinese vessels has been a persistent issue. According to Taiwanese officials, the Coast Guard has expelled over 30 Chinese fishing boats and intercepted seven smaller vessels in 111 such incursions since the start of 2025 alone.
The latest incident occurred just two days after China’s self-imposed annual fishing moratorium came into effect on May 1. Although Beijing claims the moratorium is aimed at sustainable fisheries management, its enforcement and adherence by China’s massive fishing fleet—often dubbed a maritime militia—remains inconsistent, especially when these vessels venture into contested or foreign-controlled waters.
For years, Taiwan has been the target of China’s increasingly aggressive tactics in the region, both militarily and economically. Chinese Coast Guard ships have often harassed Taiwanese and other regional fishing vessels in disputed waters, using ramming tactics, loudspeakers, and water cannons. This time, however, Taiwan’s Coast Guard responded in kind.
A spokesperson for Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration stated that the decision to use water cannons was made after the Chinese vessel refused to comply with verbal warnings and navigation signals. “We must defend our national sovereignty and protect our marine environment. These incursions are unacceptable,” the spokesperson said.
The incident has not yet been acknowledged publicly by Beijing, which typically condemns similar actions by other nations. However, analysts suggest that China’s silence could be a strategic decision to avoid drawing attention to what may be viewed as a diplomatic setback.
The Dongsha Atoll is not just a territorial prize but a symbol of Taiwan’s commitment to marine conservation. The surrounding waters form one of the region’s most biologically diverse ecosystems. Taiwanese officials argue that illegal fishing, particularly bottom trawling and dynamite fishing—common practices among rogue fleets—poses a dire threat to coral reefs and fish populations.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Ocean Affairs has repeatedly urged Beijing to restrain its fishing fleet and respect the ecological sanctity of the park. Yet, the calls have largely gone unheeded.
“The Dongsha Atoll National Park is an ecological sanctuary. Chinese intrusions not only violate our sovereignty but are a direct attack on environmental stewardship,” said Lin Yu-ting, a marine biologist and government advisor.
The Dongsha incident is not an isolated event. In February 2024, a deadly encounter near Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands resulted in the deaths of two Chinese fishermen who drowned after their boat capsized while being pursued by Taiwanese patrol vessels. The event sparked a sharp rebuke from Beijing and led to a temporary freeze in maritime communication between the two sides.
Similarly, Chinese vessels are frequently spotted near the Matsu Islands and other Taiwan-controlled territories that lie close to the Chinese mainland. Many of these vessels are believed to be part of China’s maritime militia—civilian fishing boats equipped and trained to conduct surveillance and assert sovereignty on Beijing’s behalf.
According to a U.S. Department of Defense report, China’s maritime militia, officially termed the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM), plays a pivotal role in the country’s hybrid warfare strategy. “These are not just fishing boats. They are state-sponsored tools of coercion,” the report stated.
The latest maritime skirmish comes amid growing military pressure from China. On May 6, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that 16 sorties of Chinese PLA aircraft and multiple PLA Navy vessels were observed operating around Taiwan. These maneuvers have become a near-daily occurrence, serving as both psychological and strategic pressure.
Last month, China conducted military drills around Taiwan’s north, south, and east coasts. Beijing claims the drills are routine, but Taipei views them as rehearsals for a potential blockade or invasion. Some defense analysts fear that such operations may eventually serve as cover for an actual military campaign.
Speculation about a Chinese invasion has intensified in recent years. American officials, including Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, have raised alarms over the pace of China’s military expansion. “What concerns me most is the non-linear acceleration in their exercises and capabilities,” he recently told the Financial Times.
Paparo noted that while the U.S. currently retains technological and undersea warfare advantages, China is quickly narrowing the gap by producing ships and submarines at an unprecedented pace. “We are seeing a militarization not just in volume but in tactical sophistication,” he added.
In response, Taiwan is fast-tracking military modernization with U.S. assistance. Recent U.S. arms sales include F-16V fighter jets, HIMARS rocket systems, and advanced missile defense platforms such as Patriot PAC-3 interceptors.
Taiwan’s 2025 Han Kuang exercises are now unscripted and designed to reflect real-world contingencies, including cyberattacks, PLA amphibious landings, and prolonged blockades. These drills simulate worst-case scenarios in the event of a PLA assault and test the readiness of Taiwan’s military and civilian infrastructure.
In a recent speech, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed the island’s commitment to self-defense. “Our goal is not to provoke but to prepare. Peace is only preserved through strength and vigilance,” he stated.
The South China Sea and Taiwan Strait are increasingly becoming flashpoints in the broader geopolitical contest between China and the West. Washington has reiterated its commitment to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, which obligates the U.S. to provide Taiwan with defensive arms.
Meanwhile, regional powers like Japan, Australia, and the Philippines have deepened defense cooperation with Taiwan and the U.S., wary of Beijing’s ambitions. The Philippines, in particular, has been vocal about China’s maritime harassment, having faced similar water cannon attacks by the Chinese Coast Guard in the Spratly Islands.
“Taiwan’s use of water cannons may not be a military strike, but it’s a statement—a rare but pointed response that reflects growing resolve,” said Carlyle Thayer, a regional security expert based in Australia.
Whether the water cannon incident near Dongsha marks a turning point or a mere blip in the ongoing struggle for maritime dominance remains to be seen. For now, it sends a clear message that Taiwan is no longer willing to tolerate unchallenged incursions, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas.
In an age of gray-zone conflict, where wars are fought without formal declarations, actions like these carry heavy symbolism. Taiwan’s maritime retaliation underscores a strategic pivot—toward assertiveness, resilience, and a growing awareness of the need to defend both territory and values.
