TAIPEI, Nov 1 (Reuters) – The Chinese Coast Guard has been harassing shipping with its recent patrols off the east coast of Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese Coast Guard, which has dispatched its own ships to monitor the situation.
Since June, China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its activity near Taiwan's east coast with regular coast guard patrols. Taiwanese officials, who do not recognize Beijing's claims to sovereignty, believe that China is preparing for a possible maritime blockade by utilizing military, paramilitary, and civilian ships.
Taipei views the waters off its east coast as crucial for wartime supply routes from allies, especially during a blockade or conflict. China does not acknowledge any sovereignty claims made by Taiwan.
In response to China’s announcement of a new east coast patrol, Taiwan's Coast Guard reported that two Chinese vessels were involved and that they had sent their own forces for observation.
Chinese state media later displayed a video of one of its ships stating that it was conducting law enforcement and offering help if needed. The message did not specify who it was directed at, but it included footage of an unidentified fishing boat.
Taiwan's Coast Guard stated that China’s “efforts to intimidate vessels at sea through radio communications represent a blatant power grab that violates international law, disrupts regional peace, and is disconnected from reality.”
They emphasized, “Our country has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone east of Taiwan, and China has no jurisdiction over any of Taiwan's waters.”
Additionally, on Saturday, China deployed another Coast Guard ship near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, a strategically located area in the South China Sea, according to Taiwan's Coast Guard.
This year, Taiwan has “expelled” Chinese Coast Guard vessels from the waters around the Pratas Islands 13 times.
The Pratas Islands do not have a permanent civilian population and are situated roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong. Security experts consider them vulnerable to potential Chinese attacks due to their distance of over 400 km (250 miles) from Taiwan.