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Taiwan vows to expel Chinese vessels after Beijing claims jurisdiction over eastern waters

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Taiwan's coast guard vowed to expel Chinese vessels asserting jurisdiction in waters east of the island, rejecting Beijing's claims.
  • China conducted a patrol in these waters, inspecting vessels and conducting surveys, which Taiwan views as a violation of its maritime sovereignty.
  • The incident follows China's response to potential maritime boundary talks between Japan and the Philippines, escalating regional tensions.

Taiwan's coast guard has declared it will "expel" any Chinese vessels attempting to assert jurisdiction in waters east of the island, strongly rejecting Beijing's claims. This firm stance comes after China concluded a patrol in these disputed waters, which Taiwan insists fall outside of China's authority.

expel

— Taiwan's coast guardThe coast guard's declared action against Chinese vessels asserting jurisdiction.

China had reported sending ships for a "special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation" to inspect shipping east of Taiwan. This action was reportedly a response to Japan and the Philippines initiating formal talks on their maritime boundaries, which China views as encroaching on waters it claims. Chinese state media stated the patrol inspected 198 vessels and rectified violations involving three ships, also conducting a hydrographic survey.

inspected 198 passing vessels and rectified violations involving three ships

— ChinaDetails of China's maritime patrol operation east of Taiwan.

Taiwan's coast guard spokesperson, Hsieh Ching-chin, stated that Beijing holds "no sovereign rights whatsoever in the waters east of Taiwan." He emphasized that Taiwan's own vessels would "forcefully drive them away" to maintain freedom and safety of navigation. The coast guard issued a statement asserting, "Our nation's maritime sovereignty cannot be violated... Any country that asserts jurisdiction will be expelled without exception."

China has no jurisdiction in those waters and that whenever Chinese ships appear, Taiwan's own vessels will "forcefully drive them away, and maintain the freedom and safety of navigation."

— Taiwan Coast Guard spokesman Hsieh Ching-chinTaiwan's official position on Chinese maritime activity.

This confrontation highlights ongoing tensions in the region. Taiwan also reported that three passing merchant ships were "harassed" by the Chinese coast guard, which questioned them about their origins and destinations and claimed jurisdiction. In a separate incident, Taiwan's coast guard reported that two Chinese government ships intruded into restricted waters near Itu Aba in the South China Sea, approaching within 2.1 nautical miles before leaving after being warned. China does not recognize Taiwan's sovereignty, and its military forces frequently operate in areas Taiwan considers its own.

Our nation's maritime sovereignty cannot be violated.

— Taiwan's coast guardA strong statement asserting Taiwan's territorial integrity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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