Key facts
- China's coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan.
- Taiwan's government condemned these patrols as harassment and a violation of international law.
- China asserted the patrols were lawful and necessary to safeguard its sovereignty.
- Taiwan rejected China's claims of jurisdiction in the waters east of the island.
China and Taiwan engaged in a verbal dispute over the legality of Chinese coast guard patrols conducted in waters east of the self-ruled island. Taiwan's government accused Chinese ships of harassing commercial vessels by demanding information about their origin and destination, asserting jurisdiction in waters where they claimed China had no right to intervene.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office, through spokesperson Zhang Han, stated that the patrols were a lawful act to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights. She added that China would continue to strengthen its control over these waters and that such actions were normal, including patrols near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung described China's actions as using 'law enforcement' as a pretext for expansion and called China a 'problem-maker' damaging the status quo. Taiwan's cabinet Secretary-General Xavier Chang echoed these sentiments, stating that China's actions endanger Taiwan's sovereignty and violate international law, vowing not to cede any 'blue maritime territory'. Beijing, however, does not recognize Taiwan's government claims and has rejected offers of talks, labeling President Lai Ching-te a 'separatist'.