Taiwan calls China's maritime patrols east of island 'act of provocation'

Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo has described China's increased maritime patrols in waters east of the island as a "provocation" and an act of "cognitive warfare," amid escalating tensions between Taipei and Beijing. Koo stated that China's declaration of the eastern waters as a "law enforcement zone" significantly harms Taiwan's "national sovereignty."

China considers self-governing Taiwan an inalienable part of its territory. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense and the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) pledged to share intelligence and coordinate tasks closely to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime security. These statements follow China's launch of a "special maritime control operation" in waters east of Taiwan, reportedly in response to maritime negotiations between Japan and the Philippines.

Beijing claims the operation aims to fully exercise its "maritime law enforcement administrative jurisdiction" in the region, bolster deep-water patrol capabilities, control traffic in key maritime zones, ensure navigation safety, and "safeguard national interests." However, Taiwan's CGA asserted on Sunday that China holds no sovereign rights in the waters east of Taiwan and that its actions violate international law.

According to Taiwan's Coast Guard, four Chinese vessels, the 'Haixun 06', 'Haixun 08', 'Haixun 09', and 'Donghaijiu 113', entered "restricted waters" southwest of Eluanbi Cape on Sunday afternoon. Taiwanese Coast Guard patrol boats escorted these vessels, and verbal disputes ensued over sovereignty. Chinese coast guard personnel stated, "Both sides of the Strait belong to one China; these are waters under Chinese jurisdiction; our maritime law enforcement flotilla is executing a special traffic control mission in China's strait waters; do not interfere with our functions."

Taiwanese authorities responded, "China possesses no sovereign rights over the waters east of Taiwan. You have entered our waters without authorization, violating international law and affecting the order and safety of our waters. Change course immediately and leave our waters as soon as possible."