Newly released footage from Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration reveals a tense and dangerous maritime confrontation between Taiwanese and Chinese coast guard vessels in the Taiwan Strait, underscoring Beijing’s growing pressure campaign against the self-governing island.

The video shows three Chinese coast guard ships aggressively circling and closing in on Taiwanese vessels amid rough seas during China’s so-called “Justice Mission 2025” drills. Taiwanese officials described the maneuvers as deliberate intimidation, highlighting what they called non-kinetic posturing designed to assert control without triggering direct military engagement.

The encounter comes as part of China’s largest military exercise around Taiwan since 2022. Launched on December 28, 2025, the drills involve more than 100 aircraft and warships and are widely viewed as a rehearsal for a potential blockade of the island. Chinese forces have intensified their presence across air and sea domains, testing response times and attempting to normalize sustained pressure on Taiwan’s defenses.

According to Taiwanese authorities, the Chinese vessels operated at dangerously close distances, repeatedly changing course to encroach on Taiwan’s coast guard ships in choppy waters. While no shots were fired, the behavior raised serious safety concerns and demonstrated Beijing’s willingness to escalate through coercive tactics short of open conflict.

The drills were initiated shortly after the United States approved a $2 billion arms package for Taiwan, reinforcing Washington’s commitment to the island’s self-defense. Analysts view China’s response as a direct signal to both Taipei and Washington that Beijing is prepared to challenge the regional status quo through forceful displays of power.

Taiwan’s government has condemned the actions as destabilizing and reckless, reaffirming its determination to safeguard freedom of navigation and regional security. The footage serves as a stark reminder that tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain high, with China increasingly using its coast guard and military assets to blur the line between exercises and real-world confrontation.