Taiwan Bolsters Pratas Patrols Amid Chinese Activity

Taiwan's Coast Guard completed a pier renovation at Pratas in July 2026 and formally stationed a new 100-tonne-class patrol boat there. In a late Sept. 23 statement, it said patrol capacity has been "comprehensively upgraded," with the boat "significantly enhancing nearshore patrol capabilities and immediate mobile response capacity." Large vessels are now regularly deployed, showing "strong multi-layered deterrence and mobile enforcement capabilities," it said. Nine Chinese fishing boats have been confiscated around Pratas since the start of 2026 and repurposed for reef patrol and marine conservation. Taiwan News reports eight cases involving those nine boats. Chinese coast guard ships increased patrols near Pratas, most recently earlier in September 2026. Pratas lies more than 400 km from Taiwan, has an airstrip but no permanent civilian population, and is a national park with largely untouched reefs. Taiwan's Coast Guard, not the military, is responsible for security. Taiwan also holds Itu Aba in the Spratlys and claims Zhongzhou Reef. Contested: none found. Taiwan News alone added a Matsu operation between Sunday and Monday: four Taiwanese boats inspected, three Chinese vessels driven away, one person arrested.