Taiwan coast guard deploys vessels in response to China operation

Taiwan's coast guard announced Sunday it deployed vessels to "respond appropriately" to a Chinese operation in waters east of the island, which it condemned as a violation of international law. The move comes after Chinese state media reported the "law enforcement operation" was a response to talks between Japan and the Philippines aimed at drawing a maritime boundary in the area.

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to respond appropriately

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, deemed the Japan-Philippines talks "illegal" and asserted exclusive control over the waters. Taiwan's coast guard confirmed that Chinese government vessels were monitored "throughout the entire process" and that necessary vessels were deployed to respond. Taiwan stated it had detected four Chinese government vessels departing from Xiamen port and sailing outside Taiwanese restricted waters southwest of the island.

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violates international law

The Taiwanese coast guard dispatched more than five vessels to "assist with surveillance," expecting the Chinese vessels to arrive in the relevant waters on Sunday. Taiwan emphasized that "China does not enjoy any sovereign rights in the waters east of Taiwan." The operation was described by Beijing as a "necessary action taken against Japan and the Philippines’ unilateral announcement they would start ‘negotiations on delimiting a maritime boundary'" near Taiwan, according to state news agency Xinhua.

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throughout the entire process

This incident highlights escalating tensions in the region. Manila and Tokyo have grown closer due to shared grievances over China's maritime territorial claims. Japan and China have ongoing disputes in the East China Sea, marked by routine tense standoffs between their coast guard ships. Beijing has also deployed naval and coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, leading to confrontations with the Philippines.

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China does not enjoy any sovereign rights in the waters east of Taiwan