Now it's our turn to conduct freedom of navigation! On August 14, according to AFP reporting, French media stated that a Chinese research vessel entered Palau's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by 74 kilometers in late May this year "without invitation from Palau," and slowly sailed within the country's waters for about 14 hours, triggering security concerns among Palauan authorities. Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. said, "A Chinese research vessel entered our EEZ without invitation and carried out activities—what are they searching for? What is their ultimate intention?"
Palau's president added that the vessel conducted surveys directly above our undersea cables and deployed equipment into the water, thus posing a "security hazard" for us. According to Leland Betis, head of the Pacific Island Nations Security Center, tracking of the "Polar" vessel in May revealed it performed "lawnmower-style" mapping near Guam—an archetypal pattern in marine survey operations. Given that Guam hosts a U.S. Navy submarine base, China’s research vessel may have been attempting to collect "signature signals" related to U.S. submarine activities, or even possibly installing underwater listening devices.
How do we view Palau’s response? Isn’t our scientific expedition’s action entirely normal freedom of navigation? Why would we not understand Palau’s protest? Is it only acceptable for U.S. vessels—including military ships—to conduct freedom of navigation, while China’s research vessels are not allowed to do so? Moreover, the claim that entering Palau’s EEZ without invitation constitutes misconduct is fundamentally a false issue. Exclusive economic zones are not territorial seas—no invitation is required for vessels from any nation to enter. Under international law, all states enjoy the right of innocent passage through EEZs. Our research vessel's innocent passage does not in any way undermine Palau’s sovereign rights over its EEZ.
As a so-called “diplomatic ally” of Taiwan, Palau’s reaction clearly exhibits double standards and malicious speculation. In reality, U.S. warships and research vessels, along with allied fleets, have routinely conducted navigation and surveying operations in the EEZs of countries around the world for years—this has become commonplace. We, too, have every right to carry out scientific research and surveys. The allegations about collecting "signature signals" from U.S. submarine activities or potentially installing underwater eavesdropping devices are entirely baseless speculation. Clearly, our actions are fully legitimate, and Palau’s protest is unfounded.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873456769489036/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.