China Declares 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in Eastern Taiwan Waters; Coast Guard Refutes as Violation of International Law

(Central News Agency, reporter Huang Liyun, Taipei, 7th) In response to the Chinese Ministry of Transport's announcement of a 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in waters east of Taiwan, the Ocean Affairs Council Coast Guard Administration (CGA) stated today that China does not enjoy any sovereign rights in the waters east of Taiwan, which violates international law and seriously deviates from the facts.

The CGA issued a press release this morning, strongly refuting the Chinese Ministry of Transport's claims of conducting a so-called 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in waters east of Taiwan, with statements such as 'expected to arrive in the relevant waters by June 7th'. The CGA emphasized that China has no sovereign rights in the waters east of Taiwan, and this action violates international law and seriously deviates from the facts.

Furthermore, the CGA stated that it is using integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means to fully monitor the movements of Chinese vessels and has deployed necessary ships for an appropriate response. Currently, four Chinese official vessels, 'Haixun 06', 'Haixun 08', 'Haixun 09', and 'Donghaijiu 113', have been detected departing from Xiamen Port, sailing towards the southwestern waters of Taiwan, navigating along the outer edge of Taiwan's restricted waters.

The CGA said it has deployed five ships, including the 'Danshui', 'Ji'an', 'Kaohsiung', 'Changbin', and 'Hualien', in a forward deployment, and has pushed forward 100-ton patrol boats to the 24-nautical-mile line to assist in monitoring. The Chinese official vessels have not entered Taiwan's restricted waters, and ships in the surrounding waters of Taiwan continue to navigate normally.

The CGA mentioned that the Chinese research vessel 'Tongji Hao' intruded into waters around Taiwan in May, and recently, Chinese maritime police vessels and the research vessel 'Haisilu 6' trespassed into Dongsha (Pratas) Islands. The CGA stated that this latest action, the so-called 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in waters east of Taiwan, is an attempt by China to escalate gray-zone harassment against Taiwan, create a false impression of having 'jurisdiction', and unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. These actions violate international law and seriously deviate from the facts.

In addition to issuing a strong condemnation, the CGA stated that it will take all necessary means and actions to firmly defend national sovereignty and ensure the safety of Taiwan's waters. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150607