China’s Coast Guard says it has started “law enforcement patrols” east of Taiwan, despite criticism and pushback from other countries. According to statements carried by multiple outlets, the Coast Guard says its fleet will conduct patrols and will “strengthen” operations in waters it describes as China’s jurisdictional areas.
Japan Times reports that China is using its coast guard to support its territorial claims and frames the move as establishing a legal basis for its actions, which Taiwan describes as “lawfare.” Channel NewsAsia also reports that China links the patrols to enforcement of its position over waters it considers within its jurisdiction.
Free Malaysia Today similarly describes the patrol as part of stepped-up operations in those areas, based on the Coast Guard’s characterization of its authority. Together, the reports indicate the patrol is ongoing as an asserted enforcement activity by China’s Coast Guard east of Taiwan, while Taiwan and other international observers treat it as a contentious attempt to advance territorial claims.
