Taiwan Coast Guard refutes China's 'ROC does not exist' claim during maritime standoff

A Chinese coast guard vessel provocatively broadcasted claims that the "Republic of China does not exist" while operating near Taiwan's Dongsha Island. The incident occurred on June 27th when the Chinese vessel "3101" entered restricted waters approximately 25.5 nautical miles northwest of the island.

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration immediately dispatched the Taichung vessel to intercept and monitor the Chinese ship. The two vessels engaged in a close-quarters standoff, with the closest distance recorded at just 0.4 nautical miles. The Taiwanese vessel legally ordered the Chinese ship to leave the area.

In response to the Chinese vessel's broadcast, the Taichung ship firmly refuted the claims in both Mandarin and English. The Taiwanese crew stated, "The Republic of China, Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country, not subordinate to the People's Republic of China. This is an undeniable fact and the current situation." They highlighted Taiwan's democratic system, economic success, and directly challenged the Chinese vessel, suggesting they "should go back and strive for democracy and freedom, solve the problem of economic downturn, and let the Chinese people live a prosperous and stable good life."

The Coast Guard Administration condemned China's actions, noting that Chinese coast guard vessels have intruded into the Dongsha maritime area nine times this year with four vessels. Taiwan views these incursions as attempts to create a false impression of jurisdiction through "fake law enforcement, real expansion of power." The agency also pointed to recent concerns expressed by allied nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France regarding China's disruption of regional stability and threats to international shipping.