US Urges China to Stop Taiwan Pressure Amid Coast Guard Patrols

China has concluded a five-day maritime law enforcement operation involving multiple coast guard vessels in waters east of Taiwan, an action that has drawn criticism from the United States. Beijing claimed its ships inspected 198 vessels during the operation.

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We also urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's elected leadership.

The U.S. State Department urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan. A spokesperson called for meaningful dialogue between China and Taiwan's elected leadership, emphasizing support for treaty allies Japan and the Philippines and encouraging peaceful dispute resolution.

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The PRC has no right to interfere in issues concerning Taiwan's sovereignty or jurisdiction in the waters east of Taiwan.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, condemned China's actions, stating that the People's Republic of China has no right to interfere in waters east of Taiwan, which fall under Taiwan's sovereignty and jurisdiction. He characterized China's actions as an attempt to disrupt the status quo and create a new normal through its behavior, urging international collaboration to halt China's military expansion.

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China's expansion is not only disrupting the status quo but also attempting to create a new normal through its actions; it is a problem creator that disrupts the status quo.

Taiwan's Coast Guard monitored the Chinese vessels throughout the operation. The Coast Guard reported that three merchant ships were subjected to spurious jurisdictional broadcasts by the Chinese vessels, to which Taiwanese ships responded sternly, stating that China's actions violated international law.

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China's violation of international law means there is no need to respond to the harassment.