# Maritime Dispute

Beijing Normalizes Pressure: China Coast Guard Intensifies Presence in Contested East China Sea

China Coast Guard fleet 1306 conducted a patrol near the disputed Diaoyu Islands on May 7, 2026, as part of Beijing's ongoing effort to normalize its presence in the East China Sea. The mission reflects China's broader 'gray zone' strategy to challenge Japanese administrative control and assert maritime sovereignty through persistent law enforcement operations.