Taiwan Coast Guard Says Deploys Vessels in Response to China Operation

Taiwan's coast guard announced Sunday it has deployed vessels to respond to a Chinese operation in waters east of the island, which Taiwan deems a violation of international law. The Chinese operation, reported by Chinese state media, is framed as a response to recent discussions between Japan and the Philippines regarding maritime boundaries.

China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory, has labeled the Japan-Philippines talks "illegal" and claims exclusive control over the waters in question. Taiwan's coast guard stated that Chinese government vessels were monitored throughout the operation and that Taiwan dispatched necessary vessels for an appropriate response. Taiwan maintains that China holds no sovereign rights in the waters east of its island.

The deployment follows formal talks initiated last month between Tokyo and Manila to delimit their respective economic zones and continental shelves. Beijing reacted angrily to these discussions, viewing them as a challenge to its territorial claims.

On Saturday, China's transport ministry organized a maritime traffic law enforcement operation involving police from Fujian and Guangdong coastal provinces. State news agency Xinhua reported this as a "necessary action" against the unilateral maritime boundary negotiations by Japan and the Philippines near Taiwan. Taiwan had previously stated that it should be consulted on these talks.

This incident occurs amidst escalating maritime tensions in the region. Japan and China are engaged in disputes in the East China Sea, while Beijing has also increased its presence in the South China Sea, leading to confrontations with the Philippines over strategic reefs and islands. Taiwan's coast guard also recently reported the first observed instance of Chinese coast guard and survey vessels coordinating operations around Pratas Island, an area claimed by both Taiwan and Beijing.