Taiwan accuses China of “harassment” due to its patrols east of the island

Taipei.- Taiwan accused China’s Coast Guard on Tuesday of carrying out operations it considers acts of “harassment” in waters located to the east of the island, after Beijing announced a new round of maritime patrols in that strategic area.

The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration reported that it deployed the patrol vessel Lanyu and other ships to monitor the movements of the Chinese vessels Zhujiajian and Chongming, after detecting their presence in waters located to the east and northeast of the island.

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According to data provided by Taiwanese maritime authorities, around 16:00 local time, the Zhujiajian was about 97 nautical miles, equivalent to approximately 180 kilometers, northeast of Green Island. Meanwhile, the Chongming was sailing approximately 146 nautical miles, about 270 kilometers, east of Lanyu.

Taiwan‘s Coast Guard stated that it is keeping both vessels under surveillance and questioned Beijing’s authority to conduct law enforcement operations in the waters it considers to be under its jurisdiction.

“Taiwan possesses sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone to the east of the island, and China has no jurisdiction whatsoever over any of Taiwan’s surrounding waters,” the agency maintained in a statement.

Taiwan‘s response came after the Chinese Coast Guard announced a new round of “routine law enforcement patrols” to the east of the island. Beijing has increased its maritime presence in that area over the last few months, a situation that has generated new criticism from Taiwanese authorities.

Chinese Coast Guard spokesperson Jiang Lue stated that the group led by the Zhujiajian had intensified “control” efforts in those waters since the beginning of September. As he explained, the operations aim to ensure navigation order and protect the “legitimate rights and interests” of Chinese citizens.

Taiwan‘s authorities have previously rejected these types of arguments and have pointed out that the patrols represent a form of pressure on the island. Taipei has also asked Beijing to avoid actions that could increase military and political tensions in the region.

The area where the patrols take place has special strategic importance. In addition to being part of maritime routes used for international trade, it is located in an area considered relevant for potential support operations for Taiwan in the event of a military crisis.

Defense analysts cited in the report believe that the maritime routes located to the east of the island could be used by countries such as the United States and Japan to provide assistance to Taipei in the event of a potential invasion or maritime blockade by China.

This location also makes the eastern waters a point of interest for regional security, due to their connection to important Pacific maritime routes. Any increase in military or maritime security activity in the area is closely monitored by countries in the region.

Deployment in Taiwan

The deployment of Taiwan Coast Guard vessels to shadow Chinese ships is part of the mechanisms used by Taipei to monitor Beijing’s activities and prevent maritime operations from escalating into major incidents.

The situation is unfolding amidst the prolonged political dispute between China and Taiwan. Beijing claims sovereignty over the island and keeps open the possibility of using force to achieve its control, while the Taiwanese government maintains that the political future of the territory belongs exclusively to its inhabitants.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has rejected any initiative that could be interpreted as a formal declaration of independence. For their part, the Taipei authorities have insisted that the island’s population has the right to decide its future and have strengthened their defense and surveillance capabilities.

Tensions between both parties have intensified over the last few years with the increase in Chinese military exercises around the island, as well as a greater presence of Coast Guard vessels and military aircraft in nearby areas.

Taiwan‘s authorities are maintaining surveillance over the activities of Chinese vessels and have reiterated that they will continue to use their maritime assets to monitor any movement that could affect their interests or compromise the security of their waters.

The Taiwanese government has also insisted that differences must be managed through mechanisms that avoid escalation and has called on China to act responsibly to reduce the risks of accidental clashes.

For now, no major incidents have been reported between the vessels of both parties. However, Taiwan considers that the recurring presence of Chinese ships in its nearby waters increases the risk of incidents and further escalation of tensions in the strait and its surroundings.

The new round of patrols thus adds to a series of episodes that keep the relationship between Beijing and Taipei under international attention, especially due to the economic and strategic importance of the Western Pacific.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Coast Guard continues to monitor the movements of Chinese vessels, while Beijing authorities maintain that their patrols are part of their routine maritime surveillance and law enforcement duties.