TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China is disrupting the status quo by sending government ships into waters east of Taiwan, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Wednesday.
Lin said China was using false law enforcement claims to expand its control in the region, CNA reported. He said Beijing has no right to interfere in waters involving Taiwan’s sovereignty, jurisdiction, maritime rights, or fishing rights.
Lin said China was trying to create a “new normal” through these actions. He said Beijing was the side creating problems and urged the international community to oppose China’s military expansion from the Taiwan Strait to the first island chain, a line of islands running from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said China sent five government ships into waters east of Taiwan on Tuesday. The ships used planned talks between Japan and the Philippines on exclusive economic zones as a pretext to broadcast messages to foreign commercial vessels, the ministry said.
Lin said the talks between Japan and the Philippines do not involve Taiwan or any third party. He said both governments had made this clear, and Taiwan had kept communication open with both sides.
Lin said Japan informed Taiwan before the talks took place. He also said the Philippines told Taiwan this was its first negotiation with Japan on related maritime issues and that Taiwan’s rights would not be affected.
Lin said Taiwan has fishing agreements with both Japan and the Philippines. He said the government would protect Taiwan’s sovereignty, fishing rights, maritime rights, and the interests of Taiwanese fishers.
The foreign ministry condemned China’s actions on Tuesday. It said Beijing had no right to harass ships in Taiwan’s waters, violate international law, or mislead the international community.
Lin also warned people in Taiwan not to accept China’s version of the issue. He said Beijing was using law enforcement as a cover for expansion and was trying to shape public opinion.
