China Declares 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in Waters East of Taiwan; Defense Minister Wellington Koo: 'Provocation, Cognitive Warfare'

(Central News Agency, reporter You Kaixiang, Taipei, June 8) China's Ministry of Transport announced it would conduct a 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in waters east of Taiwan. Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated today that this is a provocative act and cognitive warfare, a serious infringement on Taiwan's national sovereignty. The Ministry of National Defense and the Coast Guard Administration will maintain close intelligence sharing, meticulous coordination, and division of labor to uphold maritime security in accordance with the support agreement.

In response to China's Ministry of Transport announcement, the Ocean Affairs Council's Coast Guard Administration stated yesterday that China does not enjoy any sovereign rights in the waters east of Taiwan, violating international law and seriously deviating from the facts. It has deployed various types of vessels forward.

Koo, attending the Foreign and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan this morning, emphasized before the meeting that this is a provocative act and cognitive warfare. China's claim that the eastern waters are its law enforcement area is a serious infringement on Taiwan's national sovereignty. The Ministry of National Defense and the Coast Guard Administration will maintain close intelligence sharing, meticulous coordination, and division of labor, and will uphold national sovereignty and maritime security at any time according to the support agreement.

Regarding the movements of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, Koo stated that the national military not only monitors the Taiwan Strait but also fully grasps the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. (Editor: Xie Jiazhen) 1150608