China has launched a fresh coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, prompting a strong protest from Taipei, which described the move as illegal and a threat to regional stability.
In a statement on Saturday, China’s Coast Guard said the operation involved “law enforcement patrols” within what Beijing claims are its jurisdictional waters, adding that similar patrols would be strengthened to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.
Taiwan swiftly rejected the claim, insisting that China has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or law enforcement authority in the waters east of the island.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the deployment, calling it an expansion of Chinese power that violates international law and undermines peace and stability in the region.
Taiwan’s Coast Guard said it had been monitoring two Chinese coast guard vessels and deployed two of its own ships to shadow them.
Authorities said the Chinese vessels were located about 54 nautical miles east of Hualien, home to one of Taiwan’s key air bases, but remained outside restricted waters.
Taiwan reiterated that its coast guard would take all necessary measures to monitor and respond to any actions that threaten its maritime security or sovereignty.
The latest deployment marks the second time in about a month that China has sent coast guard vessels into waters off Taiwan’s east coast, raising concerns over growing tensions in the region.
The earlier operation in June followed China’s objection to plans by Japan and the Philippines to begin formal discussions on their maritime boundaries, which Beijing claims involve waters linked to Taiwan.
Taiwan has instructed its vessels to ignore any inspection or boarding requests by China’s Coast Guard, while warning that its own maritime enforcement agencies would intervene if necessary.
