China’s coast guard carried out what it described as routine law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan on Friday, prompting a strong protest from Taipei, which accused Beijing of using the operation to expand its control over the region.
The patrols took place off Taiwan’s Pacific coast, an area regarded by Taipei as strategically important, particularly for maintaining wartime supply routes from allied countries.
In a statement, China’s coast guard said the operation was led by the vessel Xiushan and that similar patrols would continue.
Coast guard spokesperson Jiang Lue said the Xiushan task group had intensified patrols in the area since July to maintain order and ensure safe navigation.
He said the operations were intended to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as protect lives and property.
Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration rejected the explanation, accusing Beijing of carrying out “fake law enforcement, real expansion of power.”
The agency said it dispatched several patrol vessels, including the Taipei, to monitor two Chinese coast guard ships — Xiushan and Chongming.
According to Taiwan, one of the Chinese vessels was detected about 151 nautical miles east of Lanyu (Orchid Island), while the other was approximately 43 nautical miles northeast of the island.
Taiwan said its vessels were closely monitoring the Chinese ships and vowed to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and ensure the security of its surrounding waters.
China considers self-governed Taiwan part of its territory despite the island rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintaining that only its people can determine Taiwan’s future.
Beijing has increased military and coast guard activities around Taiwan in recent years, including operations along the island’s eastern coast.
The latest patrols come just days after the United States’ de facto embassy in Taiwan publicly revealed coordination between the US and Taiwan coast guards, releasing a photograph showing a Taiwan coast guard vessel sailing alongside the US Coast Guard cutter Midgett at an undisclosed location.
