Key facts
- China's coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan on Friday.
- Taiwan condemned the patrols as a political operation to expand Beijing's control.
- Taiwan vowed to defend its sovereignty and ensure water security.
- Two Chinese coast guard vessels, Xiushan and Chongming, were detected.
- The US de facto embassy in Taiwan revealed coordination between their coast guards.
China's coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan on Friday, a move that Taipei condemned as a political operation aimed at expanding Beijing's control. The Chinese activities off Taiwan's Pacific coast have raised concerns among Western countries, which have warned against unilateral changes to the status quo or actions that could escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
According to China's coast guard, the patrols were routine law enforcement led by the ship Xiushan, with spokesperson Jiang Lue stating that such efforts would continue to strengthen control over the relevant waters to ensure orderly navigation and activities, safeguarding the rights and interests of fishermen on both sides of the Strait.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration reported that two Chinese vessels, the Xiushan and Chongming, were detected. One was approximately 151 nautical miles east of Orchid Island (Lanyu), and the other was about 43 nautical miles to the island's northeast. Taiwan stated its vessels were monitoring the Chinese ships and vowed to take all necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and ensure the security of its waters.
China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim rejected by Taipei, which asserts that only its people can decide their future. Beijing has recently intensified military and coast guard activities around Taiwan, including operations on its Pacific side, which Taiwan views as critical for wartime supply lines from allies.
This week, the United States' de facto embassy in Taiwan publicly disclosed coordination between their coast guards, releasing an image of a Taiwan coast guard vessel sailing with the US Coast Guard cutter Midgett.