Taiwan Deploys Ships in Response to Chinese Operation East of Island

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said it deployed vessels to “appropriately respond” to Chinese maritime activity east of the island.

The Defense Post reported on this.

Taipei’s response followed Chinese state media claims that Beijing was conducting a “law enforcement operation,” described as a response to discussions between Japan and the Philippines on maritime boundaries in the region.

China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, called the talks “illegal” and asserted exclusive jurisdiction over the waters.

According to Taiwan, four Chinese government vessels departed from Xiamen and operated near the southwestern waters of the island, outside Taiwan’s restricted zones.

In response, Taiwan deployed more than five coast guard vessels to monitor Chinese ship movements.

Last month, Tokyo and Manila launched formal negotiations on maritime boundaries, including delimitation of exclusive economic zones and continental shelves, prompting a strong reaction from Beijing.

On Saturday, China’s Ministry of Transport deployed maritime police units from Fujian and Guangdong provinces to conduct a “special law enforcement operation” in waters east of Taiwan.

Beijing did not disclose details of the operation, including its duration, scope, or current status. It also did not confirm whether coast guard vessels were directly involved.

Chinese state media described the operation as a response to what it called a unilateral move by Japan and the Philippines to begin maritime boundary negotiations near Taiwan.

Taiwan stated that any such negotiations should take into account its position and include its participation.

Growing concerns in Manila and Tokyo over China’s territorial claims have contributed to closer defense and security ties between the two countries in recent years.

Japan and China remain engaged in ongoing maritime and economic disputes in the East China Sea, where coast guard vessels from both sides regularly operate in tense proximity.

In the South China Sea, Beijing continues to deploy naval and coast guard assets to assert control over disputed areas, limiting Philippine access to strategically important reefs and islands. This has repeatedly resulted in confrontations between the parties.