Taiwan’s maritime authorities announced Sunday they successfully removed four Chinese government vessels from restricted waters near the island after an intense confrontation involving radio warnings from both nations.
The incident occurred as China continues to view Taiwan as part of its territory, with Beijing particularly upset over recent announcements from Japan and the Philippines about beginning official discussions to establish their maritime borders in disputed waters.
Chinese state media reported Saturday evening that vessels had been deployed for what officials called a “special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation” in waters east of Taiwan, responding to the Japanese-Philippine border talks announcement.
According to Taiwan’s coast guard, the four Chinese vessels – three of which were coast guard ships – entered Taiwan’s restricted maritime zone located 30 nautical miles southwest of the island’s southernmost point on Sunday afternoon.
Taiwan responded by dispatching seven coast guard ships to confront the Chinese vessels, successfully removing all four government ships from the restricted area by late Sunday afternoon, according to an official statement.
Taiwan’s maritime authorities released audio recordings capturing the heated exchange between the two sides. In the recording, a Chinese officer can be heard stating: “These are waters under Chinese jurisdiction. Our maritime law-enforcement formation is carrying out a special traffic law-enforcement mission in the waters of the Taiwan Strait. Do not interfere with our official duties.”
A Taiwanese coast guard officer responded by challenging China’s authority in the region, stating that China lacks any “sovereign rights” in Taiwan’s eastern waters.
“If conflict occurs, your side will face sanctions from the world. Only maritime stability can ensure your country’s development,” the Taiwanese officer warned.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office could not be reached for comment during non-business hours.
Taiwan has documented increased Chinese coast guard presence over the past two weeks, including confrontations near the Taiwan-administered Pratas Islands located at the northern edge of the South China Sea.
Chinese military forces already conduct operations in the area surrounding Taiwan nearly every day.
Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu criticized China’s actions on his X social media account Sunday, writing: “The PRC is nothing but a big fat bully,” using the abbreviation for People’s Republic of China.
China has maintained its position of not ruling out military action to gain control over Taiwan, while Taiwan’s leadership continues to reject Beijing’s territorial claims.
