China says it is 'safeguarding order' around Taiwan-controlled South China Sea atoll
BEIJING — China's government said on Wednesday that its coast guard was "safeguarding order" around a tiny and strategically located Taiwan-controlled atoll at the top end of the South China Sea where Taipei fears Beijing is trying to enforce jurisdiction. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, said last week that Taiwan must "bear the consequences" of its coast…
On Wednesday, China's government announced that its coast guard was maintaining order in the vicinity of a remote and strategically situated Taiwanese-administered atoll in the northernmost region of the South China Sea. Taiwan, concerned that Beijing may assert jurisdiction, had recently accused Chinese coast guard vessels of using a water cannon against a Chinese fishing boat near the Pratas Islands.
Following the incident, Taiwan reported two additional encounters between Chinese coast guard vessels and the Pratas since Sunday, alleging provocative behavior from Beijing.
A spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office clarified during a routine news briefing that Beijing maintains "indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea islands, including the Pratas and their surrounding waters. According to spokesperson Zhang Han, mainland coast guard vessels conducting law enforcement patrols in the area are performing their duties in compliance with the law and are working to maintain normal navigation and order.
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- China ‘safeguarding order’ around Taiwan-controlled South China Sea atoll freemalaysiatoday.com
- China says it is 'safeguarding order' around Taiwan-controlled South China Sea atoll koreatimes.co.kr
