TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China’s attempt to impose traffic-control measures on ships entering the Taiwan Strait during Typhoon Dolphin was described as “utterly ridiculous” by the Mainland Affairs Council on Friday evening.
MAC asserted that Beijing has no authority to restrict navigation in international waters, per The Straits Times.
China’s state media reportedly said Wednesday that vessels traveling north through the southern entrance of the strait would have to follow traffic-control measures beginning Thursday night. Ships were instructed to move to safe waters, shelter from the storm and comply with directions from maritime authorities.
“The unreasonable and crude statement by the relevant Chinese communist departments reflects an ignorance, disregard, and trampling of international order and norms. It is utterly ridiculous,” MAC said in its statement, carried by Straits Times. “Taiwan’s affairs need no meddling from the Chinese communists.”
The Coast Guard Administration, meanwhile, reportedly said the Taiwan Strait is international waters outside territorial limits and that China has no right to impose traffic controls there. It urged merchant and cargo vessels to disregard any Chinese radio instructions and immediately report possible interference.
The Coast Guard said it had not detected any unusual movements by Chinese vessels and had received no reports from shipping companies of interference with their communications, per Reuters. It said it would continue monitoring waters around Taiwan and take measures to protect safety and freedom of navigation.
The dispute comes as Typhoon Dolphin moved westward through waters north of Taiwan. The Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning Friday afternoon, forecasting strong swells along the northern and eastern coasts and heavy rain in mountainous areas of northern and central Taiwan.
