Taiwan: Coast Guard pushes back 16 Chinese ships

The action took place around Taiwan's main island and around the island of Pratas, also known as Dongsha, in southwestern Taiwan. The Taiwanese coast guard spoke of “hybrid warfare.”

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to annex the island by force. In recent months, China has increased pressure on Taiwan and repeatedly deployed ships around the island. On October 1, the Taiwan coast guard used water cannons against a Chinese fishing boat near Pratas in the northern part of the South China Sea, sparking an angry reaction in Beijing.