By Zoila Palma: Taiwan’s coast guard says it will not tolerate Chinese attempts to create what it described as a false impression of jurisdiction over waters east of the island, pledging to expel any vessels asserting such authority.
The statement came after China concluded a maritime patrol operation that Beijing said was conducted in response to plans by Japan and the Philippines to begin formal talks on their maritime boundaries, Reuters report.
Chinese state media reported that ships were dispatched to carry out a “special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation” in waters east of Taiwan. According to Chinese authorities, the patrol inspected 198 vessels, addressed violations involving three ships, conducted a hydrographic survey and monitored areas where undersea cables are located before concluding on Wednesday.
Taiwan rejected China’s claims, insisting that Beijing has no jurisdiction in those waters. Taiwan’s coast guard said its vessels would continue to drive away Chinese ships and maintain freedom and safety of navigation. Coast Guard spokesman Hsieh Ching-chin said three merchant ships in the area were allegedly “harassed” by Chinese coast guard vessels, which requested information about their routes and destinations while asserting jurisdiction over the waters.
Separately, Taiwan reported that two Chinese government vessels entered restricted waters near Itu Aba in the South China Sea on Thursday and approached within 2.1 nautical miles of the Taiwan-controlled island.
Taiwan’s coast guard said the ships departed after being warned by its patrol vessels.
The post International News: Taiwan vows to expel Chinese vessels following Maritime Patrol near its waters appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Taiwan’s coast guard says it will not tolerate Chinese attempts to create what it described as a false impression of jurisdiction over waters east of the island, pledging to expel any vessels asserting such authority. The statement came after China concluded a maritime patrol operation that Beijing said was conducted in response
The post International News: Taiwan vows to expel Chinese vessels following Maritime Patrol near its waters appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
