Key facts
- China's Coast Guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan on Monday.
- The patrols were announced as a response to Japan and the Philippines' maritime boundary delimitation talks.
- China views the waters east of Taiwan as its territory and declared the talks illegal.
- Taiwan's foreign ministry denounced China's interference in its sovereignty.
- China's Liaoning aircraft carrier conducted drills east of the Philippines between May 26 and May 28.
Tensions in the East and South China Seas remain elevated as China asserts its territorial claims. This latest action follows recent joint exercises between the Philippines and the U.S., and now a response to maritime boundary talks initiated by Japan and the Philippines, highlighting ongoing geopolitical friction in the region. The Chinese navy was also spotted conducting aircraft carrier drills east of the Philippines.