China launches maritime operation east of Taiwan amid regional talks

China has launched a "special maritime law enforcement operation" in waters east of Taiwan, a move Beijing states is aimed at asserting administrative jurisdiction and protecting national interests. The operation, coordinated by the Ministry of Transport and maritime safety authorities, began Saturday.

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Japan and the Philippines are trying to initiate negotiations without China's participation, which, in Beijing's opinion, contravenes the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other norms of international law.

This action comes in response to recent discussions between Japan and the Philippines regarding the delimitation of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in the region. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Japan and the Philippines are attempting to initiate negotiations without China's participation, which Beijing argues contravenes the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

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Any delimitation process for waters east of Taiwan must include China as a negotiating party.

Beijing asserts its rights over the maritime areas east of Taiwan, which it considers an inalienable part of China. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council echoed this sentiment, condemning the potential negotiations as a violation of China's maritime rights and legally invalid. They reiterated that populations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same nation and should defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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Any maritime delimitation negotiations in this area would violate China's maritime rights and interests and would be, in Beijing's opinion, legally invalid.

The dispute escalates tensions in East Asia, a region already marked by significant friction over territorial and maritime claims. Taiwan remains a central point of contention, with China viewing any external engagement concerning the island as a threat to its national interests.

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The populations on both shores of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same nation and should contribute to defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.