China's Ministry of Natural Resources and China Coast Guard have stepped up operations in waters east of Taiwan Island, according to official announcements.

Per the ministry's official WeChat account on September 3, the Second Institute of Oceanography conducted a comprehensive marine geophysical survey in the sea area east of Taiwan from August 10 to 31. The survey collected baseline data on the seabed environment, including submarine topography, sedimentary layers, deep geological structures, and geophysical fields.

According to the China Coast Guard's official WeChat account, spokesperson Jiang Lue stated that on September 3, the Putuoshan ship formation carried out routine law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan Island. Since August, the formation has continuously strengthened control over the relevant sea area, effectively safeguarding normal navigation and operational order, and resolutely protecting the legitimate rights, interests, and safety of life and property of Chinese citizens, including our compatriots in Taiwan. The China Coast Guard will continue to intensify law enforcement patrols in waters under China's jurisdiction, firmly upholding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

In a related development, on December 30, 2025, the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army organized amphibious assault ship formations, frigate and destroyer formations, and drones in waters east of Taiwan to conduct drills involving three-dimensional projection, precision strikes, and port seizure operations, testing capabilities in formation coordination, integrated combat, and precision strikes on key targets.

From June 6 to 10, 2026, the Ministry of Transport coordinated multiple departments to carry out special maritime traffic law enforcement and sweeping operations in the eastern waters of Taiwan, including cruise law enforcement and seabed scanning of key sea areas. This was a necessary action in response to Japan and the Philippines unilaterally announcing the start of "maritime delimitation negotiations" east of Taiwan Island, which seriously infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

From June 16 to 18, the "Xiang Yang Hong 22" vessel of the East China Sea Bureau under the Ministry of Natural Resources conducted marine environment surveys in waters east of Taiwan, collecting data on seawater environmental DNA, birds, cetaceans, marine chemistry, and hydrometeorology. On July 4, the China Coast Guard carried out routine law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan Island. Notably, compared to previous patrol announcements, this operation added the term "routine" to its description.