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China Coast Guard Patrols East of Taiwan, Angering Taipei
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

China Coast Guard Patrols East of Taiwan, Angering Taipei

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • China's coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan, which Taipei condemned as a political move to expand Beijing's control.
  • Taiwan sent patrol ships to monitor Chinese vessels and vowed to defend its sovereignty and waters.
  • The patrols have raised concerns among Western countries about potential escalation in the Taiwan Strait.

China's coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan, describing them as routine law enforcement, but Taipei condemned the move as a political operation aimed at expanding Beijing's control. The Chinese activities off Taiwan's Pacific coast have triggered concern from some Western countries, which have warned against any unilateral change to the status quo or actions that could raise tension in the Taiwan Strait.

Since July, the Xiushan task group had been strengthening control over the relevant waters to effectively ensure orderly navigation and activities.

— Jiang LueChina's coast guard spokesperson Jiang Lue described the purpose of the patrols.

China's coast guard stated that the patrols east of Taiwan were led by the ship Xiushan and that such efforts would continue to strengthen control over the relevant waters to ensure orderly navigation and activities. Spokesperson Jiang Lue said the effort was safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests, as well as the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Strait.

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration responded by sending patrol ships, including the Taipei, to monitor the Chinese vessels. Taiwan accused Beijing of engaging in "fake law enforcement, real expansion of power." Two Chinese coast guard vessels, the Xiushan and Chongming, were detected. One was about 151 nautical miles east of Orchid Island, and the other was about 43 nautical miles to its northeast. Taiwan vowed to "take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty" and ensure the security of its waters.

fake law enforcement, real expansion of power

— Taiwan's Coast Guard AdministrationTaiwan's Coast Guard Administration accused Beijing of its actions.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, a claim Taipei rejects, stating that only its people can decide their future. Beijing has intensified military and coast guard activity around Taiwan, including operations on its Pacific side, an area Taiwan considers vital for wartime supply lines from allies. This week, the United States' de facto embassy in Taiwan publicly disclosed coordination between their coast guards, releasing a picture of a Taiwan coast guard vessel sailing with a US Coast Guard cutter.

take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty

— Taiwan's Coast Guard AdministrationTaiwan's Coast Guard Administration vowed to protect its waters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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