China Launches 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in Waters East of Taiwan; MAC Says Taiwan Must Respond Calmly

(Central News Agency, reporter Lu Chia-jung, Taipei, 11th) China has launched a 'Maritime Traffic Special Law Enforcement Operation' in the waters east of Taiwan, using the start of exclusive economic zone (EEZ) negotiations between Japan and the Philippines as a pretext. Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh stated today (11th) that the Chinese Communist Party's incremental pressure on Taiwan has turned from a 'hidden concern' into an 'overt concern,' and its intention to eliminate the Republic of China (ROC) will not change. Taiwan must respond calmly and, moreover, resolutely.

China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office (Taiwan Affairs Office) stated yesterday (10th) that it will continue to strengthen control over the waters east of Taiwan. 'Yuyuan Tantian,' a media outlet under China Central Television (CCTV), claimed that China has 'filled in the gaps' of the seabed map east of Taiwan, and that management of these waters will not only 'move towards normalization,' but law enforcement around Taiwan will also enter a 'near-sea governance model,' asserting that 'the waters east of Taiwan Island are our near seas.'

At the MAC's regular press conference today, Liang Wen-chieh noted that even before this operation, Chinese research vessels had conducted extensive surveys in the relevant waters, and China had routinely dispatched 2 to 4 maritime police vessels to the waters east of Taiwan. Therefore, this is not a new development; China is merely using the Japan-Philippines economic zone negotiations as a pretext to expand its fleet.

He stated that the other side's approach is one of incremental pressure. For example, following the visit of then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, Chinese military aircraft began crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Following the capsizing of a 'three-no' (no engine, no crew license, no hull registration) fishing vessel near Kinmen, China began routine law enforcement operations in the restricted and prohibited waters around the outlying islands. Now, using the Japan-Philippines economic zone negotiations as a pretext, China aims to 'incorporate the entire eastern waters of Taiwan into its national scope.' This is no longer a hidden concern, but an overt one.

Liang emphasized that the people of Taiwan need to be alert and provide more support to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) personnel. The nation's sovereign power needs to be protected.

He concluded by stressing that while the Chinese Communist Party's intention to eliminate the Republic of China will not change, Taiwan must respond calmly and, moreover, resolutely. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150611