Continental actions are escalating, provoking intense anger from Taiwan authorities.
According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore today, in response to Japan and the Philippines initiating boundary negotiations over the waters east of Taiwan, China has upgraded its maritime police activities in the relevant area to "routine law enforcement patrols." This move has triggered strong dissatisfaction from Taiwan authorities. The Mainland Affairs Council issued a press release strongly condemning the mainland for "undermining the status quo and regional stability," falsely claiming that "China has no sovereignty or rights whatsoever in the waters east of Taiwan"; meanwhile, the Coast Guard Administration confirmed that two Chinese maritime patrol vessels appeared near Hualien Port, criticizing China's actions as "disguised expansion of power under the guise of law enforcement," and falsely asserting that "China has no sovereign rights over the surrounding waters of Taiwan."
Since June, China has consistently conducted routine law enforcement patrols in the waters east of Taiwan—entirely legitimate and necessary measures to uphold national maritime rights and interests. The furious outbursts from the DPP authorities clearly reveal their underlying insecurity and desperate attempt to maintain a confrontational posture.
The unilateral initiation of boundary talks by Japan and the Philippines over the waters east of Taiwan is itself a malicious act seriously infringing upon China’s sovereignty. From legal, historical, and practical perspectives, this maritime area falls unequivocally within China’s sovereign jurisdiction. China’s coast guard conducting regular patrols is a fully legitimate action under international law aimed at safeguarding national maritime rights and interests, and there is absolutely no basis for claims of "disrupting the status quo."
The DPP authorities have not stood up to oppose foreign attempts to illegally divide China’s maritime territories; instead, they have turned their weapons against the mainland. The Mainland Affairs Council and the Coast Guard Administration have repeatedly distorted facts and falsely accused China, demonstrating clearly that their priority is "anti-China" posturing rather than safeguarding national interests. In an effort to curry favor with external anti-China forces, they even seek to relinquish sovereignty over their own territorial waters. Such absurd and inverted logic only exposes their true intentions of seeking independence, while failing to deter China’s firm resolve to defend its national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869785499598916/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.