Taiwan warns of Chinese blockade threat as coast guard patrols intensify
TAIPEI: China’s Coast Guard is harassing shipping with its latest patrol off Taiwan’s east coast and trying to exert a fictional jurisdiction, the Taiwanese Coast Guard said, adding it had sent its own ships to keep watch.
Taiwan's Coast Guard has expressed concern over China's increasing maritime activity off its eastern coast. The Taiwanese Coast Guard has deployed its own ships to monitor the situation, stating that China's actions are an expansion of power that violate international law and regional stability. China views Taiwan as its own territory and has intensified its patrols since June, with regular coast guard presence in the region.
Taipei regards the area off its east coast as vital for wartime supply routes from allies in the event of a blockade or conflict. China does not recognize Taiwan's sovereignty claims. In response to China's latest east coast patrol, Taiwan's Coast Guard reported that two Chinese ships were involved, and they had sent their own forces to monitor the area.
Chinese state media broadcast footage of one of their ships, claiming it was carrying out law enforcement and offering assistance if needed. However, Taiwan's Coast Guard dismissed these claims, asserting that China's actions are an attempt to harass ships at sea through radio communications, which is a clear violation of international law and undermines regional peace.
Taiwan maintains sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone east of the island, emphasizing that China has no jurisdiction over any of Taiwan's waters.
Additionally, Taiwan's Coast Guard reported that China sent another Coast Guard ship close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. These strategically located islands, situated at the top of the South China Sea, are roughly 400km from Taiwan. Taiwan has expelled Chinese Coast Guard vessels from Pratas waters 13 times this year, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region. Security experts view the Pratas Islands as vulnerable to Chinese attack due to their distance from Taiwan.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
