Taiwan’s maritime authorities are accusing Chinese coast guard vessels of intimidating commercial shipping in waters off the island nation, according to an announcement made Tuesday.
Officials say Chinese ships have been demanding information from merchant vessels about where they originated and where they’re headed, while asserting authority over the area. Taiwan’s coast guard characterized these actions as harassment of legitimate maritime traffic.
The confrontations began Sunday and stem from China’s displeasure over last month’s announcement that Japan and the Philippines would start official discussions about their sea boundaries. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and was upset by talks it viewed as affecting waters near the island.
Chinese state media reported Saturday that vessels had been deployed for what they called a “special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation” in waters east of Taiwan, responding to the Japanese and Philippine declaration.
Taiwan’s coast guard detailed how Chinese ships contacted three commercial vessels since Sunday, requesting details about their departure points and destinations through radio broadcasts.
Taiwanese vessels responded by announcing over radio that the area constituted Taiwanese territorial waters where China lacked any legal authority, telling the Chinese ships to stop bothering passing vessels, according to the coast guard statement.
The coast guard also advised merchant ships traveling through the region to ignore any requests from the Chinese vessels.
Despite the confrontations, Taiwan’s coast guard noted that commercial traffic continued moving normally through the area, with Chinese government ships not attempting to board, examine, or physically interfere with any vessels.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department addressed the increased Chinese coast guard presence, stating America expects any disagreements between China and Taiwan to be settled through peaceful methods without pressure tactics.
“We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with the elected leadership,” the spokesperson stated.
Taiwan’s leadership disputes China’s territorial claims over the island. China refuses diplomatic contact with Taiwan’s president, labeling him a “separatist.”
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had not provided a response to requests for comment, and Beijing does not acknowledge Taiwan’s government as having any sovereign authority.
