Beijing sends coastguard to conduct ‘law enforcement’ patrol near Taiwan

Beijing dispatched its coastguard to conduct a "law enforcement" patrol in waters east of Taiwan on Thursday, amid a series of heightened activities by Chinese vessels, which have raised concerns on Taiwan. Jiang Lue, a spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, stated that the formation, led by the Putuoshan vessel, was conducting a patrol in line with the law.

He further mentioned that this move aimed to bolster control over the waters, safeguarding the rights and interests of Chinese citizens. Jiang added that the China Coast Guard would continue to intensify law enforcement patrols in areas under Chinese jurisdiction, firmly protecting national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

The patrol came after weeks of intensified mainland Chinese coastguard operations and scientific activities in the region, following Japan and the Philippines' initiation of maritime delimitation talks on the area, which China deemed illegal and a breach of its rights. Beijing asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, and has not ruled out the use of force to reunite the island.

While most countries, including the United States, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, Washington opposes any forcible attempt to annex the self-governed island and is legally bound to furnish it with weapons. On Thursday, Chinese media reported that the Ministry of Natural Resources conducted a marine geophysical survey in waters east of Taiwan between August 10 and 31.

The survey, carried out by the Second Institute of Oceanography, aimed to "acquire a comprehensive understanding of the basic geology and sea floor structure characteristics of waters under China's jurisdiction," thereby providing a "scientific basis for China to manage its jurisdictional waters." In June, China dispatched the oceanographic research vessel Xiangyanghong 22 to the same region, stating that it was for studying local ecological conditions as part of marine conservation efforts.

However, these actions were seen as Beijing's attempts to exert control following May's maritime boundary talks between Manila and Tokyo. Japan and the Philippines, despite not sharing maritime borders, share overlapping extended continental-shelf claims with China in the region, where Beijing claims its own exclusive economic zone and continental-shelf rights.

Beijing has labeled the boundary talks "illegal and void." The increased Chinese activities have also elicited concern from the US and European governments, who warned that the actions undermine regional stability and the freedom of navigation and safety of international shipping. Washington labeled these actions as "destabilizing," while China dismissed such criticisms, asserting that the patrols were lawful and necessary to safeguard its maritime rights and regional order.