China announces expanded coastguard law-enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan, linking the move to a recent decision by Japan and the Philippines to begin formal talks on delimiting their maritime boundaries. According to China’s coastguard, a formation led by the vessel Daishan carries out patrols “in accordance with the law” on Monday, describing them as a “necessary action” in response to Japan and the Philippines’ unilateral announcement. The patrols are framed by Beijing as connected to its claimed rights and interests over maritime areas, including rights tied to exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.
Taiwan’s authorities describe the Chinese patrols as provocative, with the Taiwanese coastguard reportedly shadowing Chinese vessels. Multiple outlets note that the patrol area extends beyond the coastguard’s traditional routine focus, including its earlier patrolling around some Taiwan-controlled islands. The Japan-Philippines talks are reported as aiming to delimit EEZ and continental shelf boundaries between the two countries, with overlapping waters near eastern Taiwan adding to the sensitivity of the issue.
