Taipei: China has launched another coast guard patrol in waters east of Taiwan, adding to growing tensions in the region despite concerns raised by several countries about Beijing's increasing maritime activities around the island.
The latest operation was announced by China on Saturday. Beijing described the patrol as a law enforcement operation aimed at protecting what it considers its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan strongly rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says only its people can decide the island's future.
Taiwanese authorities said they were closely watching the movements of the Chinese vessels. According to Taiwan, two Chinese coast guard ships were operating east of the island, while two Taiwanese coast guard vessels had been sent to follow and monitor them.
By mid morning on Saturday, the Chinese vessels were reported to be about 54 nautical miles east of Hualien, a city on Taiwan's eastern coast. Taiwanese authorities said the ships remained outside the island's restricted waters.
Although the patrol did not immediately lead to a direct confrontation, it has raised fresh concerns because it comes as China increases the frequency of its coast guard and military operations around Taiwan. The latest patrol is the second major Chinese coast guard operation in the area in about a month.
The earlier patrol was connected by Beijing to plans involving Japan and the Philippines to discuss maritime boundaries and overlapping exclusive economic zones. China has objected to discussions involving waters east of Taiwan, arguing that such matters cannot be decided without its participation because Beijing considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory.
The growing presence of China's coast guard around Taiwan is attracting attention because such operations are different from traditional military exercises. Military drills are clearly seen as demonstrations of armed power, while coast guard patrols can be presented as ordinary law enforcement activities.
Security observers believe that repeated patrols could help China gradually create a new situation in the waters around Taiwan. By regularly sending coast guard vessels into the area, Beijing could attempt to strengthen its claim that it has the authority to enforce Chinese laws and regulations in these waters.
This could become particularly serious if Chinese coast guard vessels begin attempting to inspect, stop or board commercial ships travelling to and from Taiwan. Such actions could place Taiwan and China in a dangerous situation without either side formally entering a military conflict.
Taiwan has already advised ships not to follow boarding or inspection instructions from China's coast guard. Authorities in Taipei have asked vessels to immediately report any such incidents and said Taiwan's coast guard would respond when necessary.
The international community is also watching the situation closely. The United States, Britain, France and Germany have expressed concern about Chinese maritime activities near eastern Taiwan. They have warned about the possible impact of such actions on regional peace, stability and freedom of navigation.
The location of the latest patrol is also strategically important. Waters east of Taiwan connect the island with the wider Pacific Ocean. These routes are important for international trade, commercial shipping and Taiwan's access to supplies during a possible crisis.
Increased Chinese activity in the area could also allow Beijing to study Taiwan's response and gain more experience in operating coast guard and other vessels in strategically important waters. Such operations can put pressure on Taiwan while remaining below the level of direct military action.
Taiwan has been preparing for the possibility that China could use maritime pressure as part of a future blockade. In late June, Taiwanese officials carried out an exercise based on a situation in which China attempts to control shipping routes around the island.
The exercise considered a scenario where Beijing requires vessels to receive Chinese approval before travelling to Taiwan and where ships could face inspections or seizure. The exercise showed that Taiwanese authorities are increasingly concerned about pressure that could come through maritime law enforcement operations rather than an immediate military invasion.
The latest coast guard patrol therefore appears to be part of a wider pressure campaign by Beijing. China is combining military activity, coast guard operations and legal claims as it seeks to strengthen its position around Taiwan.
For now, the immediate risk of conflict from Saturday's patrol appears limited, as the Chinese vessels were reported to have remained outside Taiwan's restricted waters. However, continued operations could increase the risk of an unexpected confrontation.
A collision between vessels, an attempted inspection of a commercial ship or aggressive manoeuvres between Chinese and Taiwanese coast guard ships could quickly create a more serious crisis.
The next major question is whether China will make such patrols more regular and whether its coast guard will begin taking stronger action against vessels operating near Taiwan. The response of Taiwan and its international partners will also be closely watched as Beijing continues to increase pressure in the region.