KOR
▲ Marine Survey Conducted East of Taiwan by China
China has been expanding the exercise of its jurisdiction by conducting surveys to examine seabed topography and geological structures in waters east of Taiwan, alongside deploying coast guard vessels for patrols.
China's Ministry of Natural Resources announced via its official WeChat account that it carried out a comprehensive marine survey in the waters east of Taiwan from August 10 to 31.
The Ministry of Natural Resources claimed that the survey was aimed at understanding the basic geology and seafloor characteristics of the waters under Chinese jurisdiction, as well as supporting natural resource management and territorial spatial planning.
It further stated, "We have secured data to understand the characteristics of the seabed geology in the waters east of Taiwan and to study submarine and crustal structures," adding, "We have also established a scientific basis for the comprehensive management of these waters."
China's Coast Guard also announced that it conducted a law enforcement patrol in the waters east of Taiwan.
Coast Guard Spokesperson Zhang Liu said, "The Putuoshan vessel formation carried out regular law enforcement patrols in accordance with the law in the waters east of Taiwan Island," adding, "Since August, we have been continuously strengthening management over the relevant waters."
The spokesperson also claimed, "This is to protect the legitimate rights, interests, life, and property of the Chinese people, including Taiwan residents," and asserted, "We will continue to strengthen law enforcement patrols in waters under Chinese jurisdiction to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."
Taiwan immediately refuted the claims.
According to Taiwan's United Daily News and other reports, the Taiwanese Coast Guard detected two Chinese coast guard ships lingering in the waters east of Taiwan at around 11 a.m. on the same day and dispatched patrol boats to monitor them.
Taiwan stated, "Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other," adding, "Taiwan holds sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its eastern Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and China has no jurisdiction whatsoever over the waters surrounding Taiwan."
Taiwan further criticized China's deployment of coast guard ships accompanied by terms such as "Taiwan Island of China" or "law enforcement patrol" as a political act intended to create the illusion of jurisdiction.
China has recently been successively expanding its marine surveys and law enforcement activities in the waters east of Taiwan.
China's Ministry of Transport dispatched a 10,000-ton patrol vessel to the waters east of Taiwan from June 6 to 10 to carry out maritime law enforcement and seabed surveying operations.
At the time, China claimed this was a countermeasure against Japan and the Philippines initiating maritime delimitation negotiations for the waters east of Taiwan, asserting that it would exercise maritime jurisdiction over the area.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Natural Resources also sent a marine survey vessel to the waters east of Taiwan from June 16 to 18 to conduct a marine environmental survey.
Chinese state media explained at the time that this was not merely a simple survey, but a measure to systematically manage the waters in question.
The Chinese Navy also conducted passage training—including maritime communications, formation maneuvering, and replenishment at sea—with the Indonesian Navy in the waters east of Taiwan on August 12.
(Photo: Capture from China's Ministry of Natural Resources WeChat, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
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