News Analysis
An armed U.S. Coast Guard cutter reportedly came into direct conflict with China’s maritime militia off the coast of Ecuador over the summer, according to Coast Guard and non-military officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. China’s maritime militia potentially violates international maritime agreements and poses a risk to Taiwan’s security.
The incident took place near Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands in August. When the heavily-armed U.S. Coast Guard cutter James sailed up to a fleet of a few hundred Chinese squid-fishing boats, three Chinese vessels sped away while one aggressively turned 90 degrees toward the James, forcing the American vessel to take evasive action to avoid being rammed….