Shortly after US President Trump’s visit to China, more than a hundred Chinese ships appear in regional waters. Taiwan sounds the alarm.
May 23, 2026, 4:02 p.mMay 23, 2026, 4:02 p.m
According to Taiwan, China has stationed more than a hundred ships from its navy and coast guard in regional waters. As the Secretary General of Taiwan’s National Security Council, Joseph Wu, explained on Saturday on the online service
China is “the only problem in the region that is destroying the status quo and threatening regional peace and stability,” explained Wu. The reason for the maneuver was initially unclear. China has repeatedly carried out military maneuvers in the waters surrounding Taiwan in the past.
Ships spotted before Trump’s trip to Beijing
The AFP news agency learned from Taiwanese security circles that Chinese ships had already been spotted in the waters before Trump’s trip to Beijing. However, their number has only increased to over a hundred in the past few days. The ships sighted also included research ships.
After his visit to China, Trump spoke of “the Taiwan problem” on Wednesday regarding uncertainties about US arms deliveries to Taiwan. This raised fears that Trump might be weakening in his support for Taipei.
China has held several large military exercises around Taiwan in recent years. Beijing views democratic and self-governing Taiwan as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the mainland – if necessary with military force.