"Special Operation" by China Near Taiwan After Maritime Border Talks Between Japan and the Philippines

SadaNews - China has carried out a "law enforcement operation" in waters east of Taiwan following recent talks between Japan and the Philippines to delineate maritime borders in the area, official media reported.

Last month, Tokyo and Manila announced that they would begin official talks "to delineate maritime boundaries" for their economic zone and continental shelf, provoking anger from Beijing.

China, which asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory, described the talks as "illegal" and demanded exclusive control over the waters in question.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Transport in Beijing mobilized maritime police forces from the coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong, "to conduct a special operation for enforcing maritime traffic law in the waters east of Taiwan Island," according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

The report did not provide details about the operation, including its duration or whether it is still ongoing, nor did it mention if the maritime police sent ships to the area.

Xinhua added that the operation was a "necessary measure taken against the unilateral declaration by Japan and the Philippines that they would begin negotiations regarding the delineation of maritime boundaries" near Taiwan.

Subsequently, Taiwanese coast guards stated on Sunday that they had dispatched ships "to respond appropriately" to the Chinese operation, viewing it as an "violation of international law."

They noted in a statement that Chinese vessels were being monitored "throughout the operation," and that Taiwan "sent the necessary ships to respond appropriately."

Taiwan stated on Wednesday that it should be consulted regarding the talks between Japan and the Philippines.

The shared concerns between Manila and Tokyo regarding China's maritime territorial claims have led to increased closeness between them in recent years.

Japan and China are embroiled in regional and economic disputes in the East China Sea, where coast guard vessels from both sides routinely face off.

Meanwhile, Beijing has deployed naval and coast guard ships in the South China Sea, attempting to prevent the Philippines from accessing strategically important reefs and islands, leading to a series of confrontations.