Chinese Coast Guard Shadows Japanese Ships Sheltering From Typhoon Near Qimei

Oct 23, 2026

Taiwan's coast guard accused China of using a typhoon as cover to push a political claim over the Taiwan Strait, which is bad for Taiwan and for international shipping freedom, though no actual clash occurred.

  • Eight Japanese coast guard patrol ships moved into the Taiwan Strait to shelter from Typhoon Fengshen, sailing near the Penghu island of Qimei.
  • Five Chinese coast guard ships trailed and monitored the Japanese vessels the whole time.
  • Taiwan's coast guard says China is using the storm as an excuse to act like it controls and owns the waters of the strait, which would undercut free passage rights guaranteed under international law.
  • Taiwan says it welcomed the Japanese ships in a spirit of mutual aid, consistent with international rules letting ships shelter from storms freely.
  • Taiwan's coast guard says it is tracking Chinese ship movements around the clock while also handling typhoon response duties.

Outlook: Taiwan says it will keep closely monitoring Chinese vessels in the strait and continue asserting that the waterway remains international, not Chinese territorial water.

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