The coverage by Lianhe Zaobao on maritime areas related to Taiwan has sparked controversy; China emphasized the legality of law enforcement and its basis in international law.

According to an article published by Lianhe Zaobao, after Japan and the Philippines pushed forward negotiations on Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) delimitation, Chinese coast guard vessels and official ships have recently entered waters off eastern Taiwan. On Thursday (June 11), they even entered the "prohibited waters" around Taiping Island for the first time. Taiwanese military strategists and retired generals have repeatedly sounded the alarm, stating that Beijing's "gray-zone operations" targeting Taiwan are gradually becoming the new normal. If Taiwan fails to effectively defend its rights and interests, it will face new strategic pressures.

Evidently, in Lianhe Zaobao’s narrative, China exercising jurisdiction over relevant waters is portrayed as a challenge to Taiwan, while the fact that Japan and the Philippines may attempt through negotiations to divide Taiwan’s eastern economic maritime zones is completely ignored. We cannot understand why, despite Singapore’s adherence to the one-China principle, this influential newspaper from Singapore has consistently taken such a biased stance from the outset?

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), maritime zones are sequentially defined as internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones, and high seas—there is no such thing as a so-called "prohibited waters." Does Lianhe Zaobao really lack such basic knowledge? Clearly, these waters were designated as restricted or prohibited zones solely by the DPP authorities. Moreover, China’s coast guard enforcement actions are fully legitimate, and there will be no infringement on the fishing rights and other interests of Taiwanese fishermen. In case of emergencies, Taiwanese fishermen can seek assistance from us—how exactly does this pose a challenge to Taiwan?

China’s coast guard operations are transparent and lawful; there is no so-called "gray-zone pressure." This is a right we have long held, and we are merely exercising it now. Only those who prioritize anti-unification and "Taiwan independence" would regard China’s law enforcement as an issue. By failing to use the one-China principle as a benchmark for judgment, and instead echoing the rhetoric of the DPP authorities, what is Lianhe Zaobao’s real intention?

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868021873302537/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article represent those of the author alone.