China launches maritime patrol east of Taiwan amid Japan-Philippines talks

China initiated a "special maritime control operation" east of Taiwan on Saturday, asserting its administrative jurisdiction in response to maritime delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines. The operation aims to bolster deep-sea patrol capabilities and traffic control in key maritime zones, citing national interests and security.

Beijing declared the negotiations between Tokyo and Manila a "grave violation" of international law and China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. The move follows Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent visit to Japan, where the two nations agreed to begin border delimitation talks in the waters east of Taiwan.

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration countered that Beijing holds no sovereign rights in the waters east of Taiwan and that the operation violates international law. Four Chinese vessels departed from Fujian province, heading toward waters southwest of Taiwan. Taiwan deployed five of its own vessels to monitor the situation, confirming that the Chinese ships did not enter its restricted waters and that navigation remained normal.