Taiwan said it was the first time mainland Chinese government vessels had entered restricted waters near an island it controls in the South China Sea.
Taiwan's coast guard drove away the two vessels at 8.43am on 14 June 2026.
Taipei described the incident as the first time mainland Chinese government vessels had entered the Taipei-defined restricted waters near Taiping, also known as Itu Aba.
Experts said Beijing’s movement around the islands was an attempt to assert sovereignty through concrete action, which could form the basis for effective control in future.
