China Launches New Coast Guard Patrol Off Taiwan

China has launched a new "law enforcement patrol" fleet east of Taiwan, the country's Coast Guard said on Saturday.

The patrol replaces a previous task force and helps "firmly safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests" in what it calls its jurisdictional waters.

It is the second Chinese coast guard operation off Taiwan's east coast in roughly a month.

Taiwan frames China’s actions as "lawfare," using non-military assets to assert legal claims to territory.

Two Ships Tracked Off Hualien

Taiwan's Coast Guard said it was tracking two Chinese ships positioned about 54 nautical miles east of Hualien, home to a major Taiwanese air base, though outside restricted waters as of mid-morning.

Taiwan prepositioned two of its own vessels to sail alongside and monitor them, and said it would "continue to employ all necessary measures to forcefully expel Chinese vessels harassing our waters."

Patrols Linked to Japan-Philippines Talks

China said its first such operation in June was a response to Japan and the Philippines announcing formal talks on their maritime boundaries, which Beijing viewed as touching on Chinese-claimed waters off Taiwan.

China's Ministry of Natural Resources published a "legal opinion" on Thursday, arguing the two countries should negotiate directly with China rather than Taiwan, stating "all other states shall refrain from providing assistance to Japan and the Philippines."

Taiwan Rejects Beijing's Jurisdiction Claims

Taiwan says China has no right to claim sovereignty or jurisdiction over the island or its surrounding waters.

The island instructed Taiwanese ships off the east coast to ignore any Chinese boarding or inspection demands, with Coast Guard vessels ready to intervene if necessary.

The U.S., U.K., France, and Germany have previously raised concerns over what they call "novel" Chinese activity in the area, warning of risks to freedom of navigation and accidental collisions.