Taiwan's security services reported a large-scale deployment of Chinese ships in East Asian waters. According to Taipei, after the summit of U.S. and Chinese leaders, the number of PRC vessels in the region exceeded 100.
China has deployed over 100 naval, coast guard, and auxiliary vessels in waters ranging from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean, according to Taiwan's security services.
According to AFP, the deployment began before U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, and after the summit, the number of ships increased to more than one hundred.
Taiwan's National Security Council head Joseph Wu published a map showing the presumed location of Chinese forces. The map indicates the Chinese navy and coast guard vessels along an extensive maritime arc — from the Korean Peninsula to the western Pacific Ocean.
Our ISR/intel shows that the #PRC has deployed over 100 vessels around the #1stIslandChain over the past few days, so soon after the #Beijing summit. In this part of the world, #China is the one & only PROBLEM wrecking the #StatusQuo & threatening regional peace & stability. pic.twitter.com/3MZmTnfRav
— Joseph Wu (@josephwutw) May 23, 2026
According to Taiwanese representatives, the vessels include not only military ships but also research and scientific vessels.
It remains unclear whether the ships are conducting a specific operation or exercises. However, China has repeatedly used such large-scale deployments to demonstrate its power in the region.
In recent years, Beijing has significantly increased pressure on Taiwan. Chinese military aircraft and ships approach the island almost daily, and large-scale exercises around Taiwan are regularly conducted.
For countries in the region, such actions are becoming an increasingly alarming signal, as any significant movement of Chinese forces automatically raises the risk of incidents in East Asia.
Particular attention is given to the current deployment due to its scale and timing coinciding with negotiations between the U.S. and China. Amid the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, Taiwan remains one of the main points of tension in the world.
Beijing considers Taiwan a part of China and does not rule out a forceful scenario for "reunification." Taiwan's authorities reject the PRC's claims and insist on the island's de facto independence.
Currently, there have been no official statements from China regarding the objectives of the ship deployment.
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