China Asserts Legality of Patrols off Taiwan's Coast

Beijing (ANTARA) - The Chinese government has responded to criticism from the United States and several European countries regarding its coastguard patrols off the eastern coast of Taiwan, asserting that the activities are lawful and conducted in accordance with the law.

“These law enforcement and patrol activities in the waters are legitimate actions to exercise China’s jurisdiction, maintain regional stability, and uphold maritime order in accordance with the law,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Thursday.

A day earlier, the United States, Britain, France, and Germany expressed concern over the China Coast Guard patrols off Taiwan’s east coast. They viewed the activities as threatening regional stability and freedom of navigation.

Guo stated that China has an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the waters east of Taiwan Island based on domestic law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

According to Guo, the patrols were also a response to what he described as manipulation by Japan and the Philippines and violations of China’s maritime rights and interests.

He urged the countries concerned to respect China’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and maritime rights, and to stop making statements that he considered distorted the facts and exceeded the authority of the relevant agencies.

“These actions once again demonstrate the separatist nature of the DPP authorities and their betrayal of the core interests of the Chinese nation,” Guo said.

Meanwhile, representatives of Britain, France, and Germany in Taiwan stated that China’s patrols threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation, and the safety of international shipping.

The waters off Taiwan’s east coast are a strategic shipping route for oil, gas, and various commodities from the Middle East and Europe to ports in China, Japan, and South Korea.

Tensions have risen after China’s newest aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait this week, just hours after Taiwan began a five-day military exercise to prepare for a possible attack from China.