BEIJING/TAIPEI, June 10 (Reuters) – A diplomatic confrontation erupted Wednesday between China and Taiwan regarding Chinese coast guard operations in waters east of the island, following Taiwan’s accusations that commercial vessels were being “harassed” near its territorial waters.
Beijing, which considers the democratically-run island part of its territory, became incensed after Japan and the Philippines announced plans last month to initiate official discussions about their sea boundaries, interpreting this as affecting Taiwan’s surrounding waters.
Chinese state media announced over the weekend that vessels had been deployed for a “special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation” in Taiwan’s eastern waters, responding to the Japanese-Philippine declaration.
Taiwan reported that these vessels had been “harassing” commercial shipping in recent days by requesting information about ships’ origins and destinations while asserting territorial control.
“The relevant mainland authorities’ law-enforcement patrols in the relevant waters are a just act to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Zhang Han, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said in Beijing.
The Chinese coast guard is conducting “law-enforcement patrols” in the waters east of Taiwan in accordance with the law, and China will continue to strengthen its control over those waters, she said.
TAIWAN ANGERED
The patrols have angered Taiwan’s government, which rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei on Wednesday, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said China was “using so-called ‘law enforcement’ as a pretext to pursue expansion”.
“The Chinese communists have no right to intervene in matters concerning the waters east of Taiwan, whether they involve Taiwan’s sovereignty or jurisdiction,” he said, describing China as a “problem-maker” that is damaging the status quo.
Beijing recognises no claims of sovereignty by Taiwan’s government and has rejected multiple offers of talks by President Lai Ching-te, saying he is a “separatist.”
“The Chinese communists’ actions not only endanger our country’s sovereignty, but also violate relevant international laws and international conventions,” Taiwan’s cabinet Secretary-General Xavier Chang said at a separate event in Taipei.
“We will not yield an inch of our blue maritime territory,” he added.
Taiwan has also complained in the past month of Chinese coast guard ships getting close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, which sit strategically at the top of the South China Sea.
Zhang said China had sovereignty over the Pratas and its patrols there were likewise “normal”.
“If the Democratic Progressive Party authorities dare to provoke, they must bear all consequences arising from this,” she added, referring to Taiwan’s ruling party.
