China's Taiwan Strait 'Traffic Control' Under Typhoon Pretext Criticized as 'Laughable'

China's Maritime Safety Administration announced traffic control measures for ships navigating the southern Taiwan Strait, citing the impact of Typhoon Dolphin. The announcement, made on the 6th, claims that vessels heading north through the southern strait will be subject to these controls.

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China is using the typhoon to assert jurisdiction over Taiwan. This is very laughable and an excessive assertion of authority.

Taiwanese officials have strongly condemned the announcement. A government official familiar with cross-strait relations described China's move as a "legal battle" aimed at asserting jurisdiction over Taiwan. "China should manage its own affairs and not overstep," the official stated, criticizing the move as "very laughable" and an excessive assertion of authority.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council previously refuted similar claims, asserting that China's alleged control over waters near Taiwan violates international conventions, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Coast Guard Administration emphasized that China has no authority to implement traffic control in the Taiwan Strait and strongly condemned the action.

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China has no right to implement traffic control in the Taiwan Strait.

Officials argue that China is using the typhoon as a pretext to advance its claims over Taiwan. They point out that China's internal issues are significant, making its attempt to manage maritime traffic in the Taiwan Strait particularly unwarranted and a violation of international law. The move is seen as a continued effort by Beijing to assert its perceived sovereignty over the island.

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China should manage its own affairs and not overstep.