Chinese Government Vessels Intrude into Eastern Taiwan Waters; Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung Condemns 'Troublemaker'

(Central News Agency, reporter Yang Yaoru, Taipei, 10th) As Japan and the Philippines prepare to launch Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) negotiations, Chinese government vessels have used this as a pretext to intrude into Taiwan's eastern waters. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated on the 10th that China is 'using so-called law enforcement as a cover for expansion' and has no right to intervene in Taiwan's eastern waters, whether concerning Taiwan's sovereignty or jurisdiction. He accused China of attempting to create a new normal and being a 'troublemaker' that disrupts the status quo. Minister Lin emphasized that Taiwan has signed fisheries agreements with both Japan and the Philippines, and both countries have informed Taiwan that the EEZ negotiations do not involve third parties. He reiterated Taiwan's clear position that its sovereignty, fishing rights, and maritime rights, especially the rights of fishermen to operate, will be protected. The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee reviewed the public and confidential portions of the central government's 2026 budget related to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In response to a statement by Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wen that 'Chinese President Xi Jinping is the last person to show goodwill to Taiwan,' Minister Lin retorted that Xi Jinping's only intention towards Taiwan is annexation, and no one should believe such words. Regarding Chinese government vessels broadcasting claims of jurisdiction over foreign merchant ships in Taiwan's eastern waters under the pretext of Japan-Philippines negotiations, Minister Lin stated that China is 'using fake law enforcement for real expansion.' The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that 'the sovereignty of the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other' and that China has no right to intervene in Taiwan's eastern waters. He called China a 'troublemaker' attempting to create a new normal and urged the international community to stop China's military expansion from the Taiwan Strait to the first island chain and even to the second island chain in the Pacific. Minister Lin also urged domestic public opinion not to fall into China's narrative of 'fake law enforcement, real power expansion' and to avoid being manipulated by China's cognitive warfare. Addressing concerns that the Japan-Philippines EEZ negotiations might affect Taiwan's economic maritime rights, Minister Lin responded that both Japan and the Philippines have stated the negotiations do not involve third parties, relating to rights under international law. When asked about formal negotiations with Japan and the Philippines, he said communication has been maintained, Japan informed Taiwan in advance, and the Philippines expressed that this is its first negotiation on economic maritime issues and does not involve Taiwan. Regarding the intrusion of five Chinese government vessels into Taiwan's eastern waters on the morning of the 9th under the pretext of Japan-Philippines negotiations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release strongly condemning the action. It emphasized that Taiwan's territorial sovereignty and sovereign rights are inviolable and that China's attempts to harass ships in Taiwan's waters in any way violate international law and conventions, seriously disrupt the status quo, and confuse international opinion. These actions fully expose the nature of China's authoritarian expansionist ambitions, which are without restraint. (Editor: Lin Shuyuan) 1150610