Beijing: China has carried out coast guard patrols in waters east of Taiwan after Japan and the Philippines announced plans to begin formal discussions on their maritime boundaries, adding a new source of tension in an already sensitive region.
The Chinese Coast Guard said on Sunday that it had conducted what it described as law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan. Beijing said the move was a response to recent announcements by Japan and the Philippines regarding talks to define their Exclusive Economic Zones and continental shelf boundaries in nearby waters.
Chinese authorities argued that the planned negotiations involve areas that China considers part of its territory because Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and surrounding waters. The coast guard said the patrols were necessary to safeguard what it described as China's maritime rights and interests.
The latest development comes as regional countries continue efforts to strengthen cooperation and clarify maritime boundaries under international law. Last week, Japan and the Philippines agreed to begin discussions aimed at defining their maritime limits and reducing the risk of future disputes. The move was welcomed by observers as part of broader efforts to improve stability and cooperation in the region.
However, China strongly criticized the planned talks. Beijing stated that any agreement involving waters connected to Taiwan would be unacceptable and declared that such actions would have no legal effect on China's claims.
Taiwan reacted quickly to the patrols. Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said it monitored the movement of two Chinese coast guard vessels operating southeast of Orchid Island, also known as Lanyu. According to Taiwanese officials, the vessels remained outside Taiwan's restricted waters and did not enter territorial seas.
Taiwan condemned China's actions and rejected Beijing's claim that it had authority to conduct law enforcement operations in the area. Taiwanese authorities reiterated that Taiwan is self governed and has the right to manage its own maritime affairs.
The patrols are the latest in a series of Chinese maritime activities around Taiwan and other disputed waters in the western Pacific. In recent months, Taiwan has reported an increase in Chinese military aircraft flights, naval deployments and coast guard operations near the island.
At the same time, tensions have remained high in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have frequently accused each other of dangerous actions near disputed reefs and shoals. Chinese vessels have also been active around Scarborough Shoal, another area claimed by both Beijing and Manila.
Security analysts say China is increasingly relying on coast guard ships and other non military maritime forces to assert its territorial claims. Such operations are often designed to demonstrate presence and control without escalating into direct military confrontation.
The situation also reflects the growing strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines. Both countries have strengthened defense and security cooperation in recent years amid concerns about regional security challenges and maritime disputes.
Although no direct confrontation was reported during Sunday's patrols, the incident highlights the continuing tensions surrounding Taiwan and competing territorial claims in East Asia. Observers warn that repeated maritime encounters and overlapping claims could increase the risk of misunderstandings if diplomatic efforts fail to keep pace with developments at sea.
For now, all sides appear determined to maintain their positions, leaving the region closely watching for further moves in a dispute that continues to shape the security landscape of the western Pacific.