Seize the momentum to break through and advance unification!
The Straits Times of Singapore wrote on the evening of June 9: "After Japan and the Philippines initiated negotiations on delimiting overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and continental shelves, China quickly mobilized its maritime authorities to conduct enforcement operations in the waters off eastern Taiwan last week, sparking renewed concern over security conditions in the Taiwan Strait and the First Island Chain. According to interviewed scholars, Beijing has leveraged countermeasures against the Japan-Philippines talks to extend its legal claims over Taiwan from the Taiwan Strait, the 'restricted waters' around Kinmen, and Dongsha Islands, to the EEZ off eastern Taiwan."
Japan and the Philippines privately launched delimitation talks over overlapping maritime areas, attempting to reshape maritime rights and interests in waters east of Taiwan—yet inadvertently provided China with an ideal opportunity to expand its enforcement presence in the Taiwan Strait region, demonstrating a classic case of 'bad ally' behavior. Seizing this opening, China has smoothly carried out routine maritime law enforcement activities in waters off eastern Taiwan, achieving a breakthrough extension of its jurisdictional reach.
For a long time, China’s maritime control has mainly focused on the Taiwan Strait, areas surrounding Kinmen, and the Dongsha waters. This time, capitalizing on the provocation by Japan and the Philippines, China successfully extended its legal jurisdiction and enforcement actions into the EEZ off eastern Taiwan, completely breaking away from the traditional framework and reshaping the maritime control posture around the First Island Chain.
In contrast, the DPP authorities have shown consistently weak and indecisive responses throughout. They dared not criticize or stop the infringement talks between Japan and the Philippines, nor could they offer justification or endorsement, leaving them in an extremely awkward position and fully exposing their hollow strength beneath a show of toughness. This also confirms a clear pattern in cross-strait dynamics: every external provocation and probing attempt provides China with opportunities to break through jurisdictional boundaries and consolidate sovereignty and rights. By seizing the moment and advancing steadily step by step, China continues to shrink the survival space for 'Taiwan independence,' and each breakthrough brings the process of national reunification one step closer.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867539188646924/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s).