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Taiwan Hits Back at Beijing’s ‘Cognitive Warfare’ After Coastguard Patrols
🇨🇳 China /Conflict & Security

Taiwan Hits Back at Beijing’s ‘Cognitive Warfare’ After Coastguard Patrols

From South China Morning Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Taiwan accused China of escalating tensions with law-enforcement operations near its east coast.
  • Taiwan's defense minister called the move "cognitive warfare" aimed at asserting Chinese jurisdiction.
  • China stated the operation was a response to maritime boundary talks between Taiwan and other nations.

Taiwan has accused Beijing of escalating regional tensions following Chinese coastguard and survey vessels' law-enforcement operations off the island's east coast. The move, described by Taiwan's defense minister as "cognitive warfare," is seen as an attempt by China to assert jurisdiction over waters it does not control.

"China intends to claim that waters off Taiwan’s east coast are also within its law-enforcement jurisdiction," stated Wellington Koo Li-hsiung, Taiwan's defense minister. He asserted that this action significantly harms Taiwan's rights and sovereignty. Koo emphasized that Taiwan's defense ministry and coastguard are coordinating to protect the island's maritime security.

China intends to claim that waters off Taiwan’s east coast are also within its law-enforcement jurisdiction.

— Wellington Koo Li-hsiungTaiwan's defense minister described China's actions as an attempt to assert jurisdiction over waters Beijing does not control.

Chinese state media reported the operation as a "necessary action" in response to recent discussions between Taiwan, Tokyo, and Manila regarding the delineation of their maritime boundaries. Beijing had previously condemned this announcement. The incident underscores the ongoing friction and competing claims in the South China Sea region.

This seriously harmed Taiwan’s rights.

— Wellington Koo Li-hsiungTaiwan's defense minister stated that China's actions infringed upon the island's sovereign rights.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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