China Patrols East of Taiwan After Japan-Philippines Talks

China has sent a Coast Guard patrol to waters east of Taiwan after Japan and the Philippines announced plans to begin maritime boundary talks.

Beijing described the move as a response to the two countries’ decision to open negotiations on maritime boundaries, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves under international law. China said the area involved included waters east of Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory.

China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the planned talks as illegal, null and void. Beijing said the negotiations would have no effect on what it described as China’s rights in the waters east of Taiwan or on its exercise of those rights.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry denounced China’s position, saying Beijing had no right to interfere with Taiwan’s territorial sovereignty or its sovereign rights over relevant maritime areas.

Taiwanese authorities have repeatedly reported Chinese military and Coast Guard activity around the island, sometimes on an almost daily basis.

The latest patrol follows a series of incidents in recent months, including the movement of Chinese Coast Guard vessels near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo has said the military is ready to support the Coast Guard in protecting the island’s interests if necessary.

(reuters, max)