TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard Administration on Sunday criticized China for planning a maritime “law enforcement operation” in waters east of Taiwan.
The coast guard said this was part of China’s escalating gray-zone activities aimed at creating the false impression of jurisdiction, CNA reported. It is also an attempt to unilaterally change the Taiwan Strait status quo, it said, adding that these actions violate international law and distort reality.
The coast guard said it has been closely monitoring Chinese vessels using artificial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
On Sunday it detected four Chinese government vessels, including Haixun 06, Haixun 08, Haixun 09, and Donghai Rescue 113, departing from Xiamen and heading toward waters southwest of Taiwan, sailing along the outer boundary of Taiwan’s restricted waters, the coast guard said, per CNA.
The coast guard said it deployed five vessels and moved 100-tonne patrol boats forward to assist with monitoring. All Chinese vessels remained outside Taiwan’s restricted waters, and normal navigation in surrounding waters has continued, it said.
The coast guard noted that the Chinese research vessel Tongchi intruded into waters near Taiwan in May, and that Chinese coast guard ships and the survey vessel Hai Si Lu recently entered waters near Dongsha Island, according to CNA.
