Chinese maritime authorities deployed patrol vessels in waters east of Taiwan on Monday, responding to recent announcements that Japan and the Philippines would initiate formal discussions about their maritime boundaries.
The two nations announced last week their intention to begin official negotiations regarding the maritime boundary of their exclusive economic zone and continental shelf areas, stating they would proceed “in accordance with international law.”
Beijing’s foreign ministry criticized the planned discussions on Friday, stating the area includes waters east of Taiwan, which China considers its own territory. Officials declared such negotiations “completely illegal, null and void.”
Maritime patrol vessels carried out operations east of Taiwan following legal protocols, according to a statement from China’s Coast Guard, though specific locations were not disclosed.
“This is a necessary action taken in response to Japan and the Philippines unilaterally announcing the initiation of maritime boundary delimitation negotiations in the waters east of China’s Taiwan island,” the statement read.
“We urge Japan and the Philippines to immediately cease all illegal actions that infringe upon China’s sovereign rights and interests.”
Taiwan’s coast guard officials had no immediate response to the patrol activities. Representatives from Philippine and Japanese diplomatic missions in Beijing did not respond to requests for comment.
On Sunday evening, Taiwan’s foreign ministry criticized Beijing’s position on the matter.
“China has no right to interfere in Taiwan’s territorial sovereignty and sovereign rights over its relevant maritime areas,” officials stated.
Chinese military vessels and aircraft operate near Taiwan on an almost daily basis, with coast guard ships sometimes accompanying these activities.
Last month, a Chinese coast guard vessel moved close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the northern South China Sea before departing following a confrontation with Taiwan’s coast guard.
Beijing asserts territorial claims over Taiwan and nearly all of the South China Sea through a “nine-dash line” marked on official maps, which extends into exclusive economic zones belonging to the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. Taiwan’s government disputes Beijing’s territorial assertions.
