China’s Coast Guard has deployed vessels to the East China Sea’s contested waters in order to enforce China’s maritime claims in the area. The Chinese vessels have patrolled the area since 2018, when China established its first maritime militia to help defend its claims in the region. The Chinese Coast Guard has faced opposition from other claimants, including Japan and Taiwan, who have refused to accept China’s claims to the disputed areas. In 2021, the Chinese Coast Guard has regularly been seen conducting patrols in the East China Sea. The area is a major source of tension in the region, and its resolution is unlikely to come soon.