SEOUL, South Korea — Taipei welcomed Western statements of support Thursday after Beijing reiterated its intent “to exercise China’s jurisdiction” in waters east of the democratic island in what alarmed overseas capitals called “novel” offshore actions.
According to Taiwan, a flotilla of five Chinese Coast Guard vessels earlier this month issued radio challenges to three foreign merchant vessels in waters 35 nautical miles southeast of Taiwan — a location that would place the action in the open Pacific, rather than the Taiwan Strait.
China, in recent months, has ramped up subkinetic action on the high seas in an effort to contest maritime terrain with Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as Taiwan. Experts warn of the potential for Beijing’s varied seaborne assets — centrally controlled fishing fleets, CGG and naval forces — to slowly and gradually suffocate Taiwan via maritime blockade.
This so-called “anaconda” strategy could feasibly win the war without a battle. Taiwan — like China, Japan and Korea — is reliant upon sea lines of communication, or SLOC, for both trade and energy imports.
The developments take place in the recent aftermath of the Iran conflict, which made clear the importance of free navigation to the global economy.
However, according to China, the aim of the CCG patrols was very different.
They are, Beijing spokespersons said, a response to talks initiated between Manila and Tokyo to clearly demarcate their maritime boundaries in the area.
Those talks, which cover waters south and east of Taiwan, have infuriated Beijing, which suspects they could result in the creation of new patrol routes and fisheries zones by and for Tokyo and Manila.
In an unusual move on Wednesday, the de facto Taipei embassies of France, Germany and the United Kingdom released a joint statement protesting the CCG actions.
“We have noted with concern novel Chinese activity in waters east of Taiwan,” the European statement read, in part. “These actions threaten regional stability and the freedom of navigation of international shipping.”
Opposing “use of force or coercion,” the statement concluded, “It is fundamental that all navigational rights and freedoms…are guaranteed and respected.”
Hours later, per reports from Taipei, a spokesperson for the de facto U.S. Embassy in Taiwan stated, “China’s actions are deeply destabilizing…we urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected authorities.”
Secretary General of Taiwan’s National Security Council Joseph Wu, said he was “truly thankful” for the Western support.
“A rules-based intl order, the Status Quo & regional peace & stability are what we all care about,” he wrote on X. China, “should stop its maritime expansionism.”
Beijing shot back Thursday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun told media that the CCG was taking “legitimate actions” to exercise its jurisdiction over what he called Beijing’s “exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in waters east of China’s Taiwan island.”
He added that the actions were “a necessary response to Japan and the Philippines’ manipulation of their delimitation agenda and violation of China’s maritime rights and interests.”
Earlier, on June 1, CCG Spokesman Jiang Lue, announcing the patrols east of Taiwan, had said, “We urge Japan and the Philippines to immediately cease all illegal actions that infringe upon China’s sovereignty and rights.”
In May, during a Japan-Philippines summit in Tokyo, the two countries announced that they would begin talks on bilateral maritime boundaries to clearly demarcate their continental shelves and exclusive economic zones.
The two countries lie, respectively, to the northeast and southwest of Taiwan and — potentially, at least — offer it flank protection. Current administrations in both Tokyo and Manila are sympathetic to Taipei.
Regardless of China’s explanation for its actions, one expert expressed concerns.
Beijing’s ongoing moves closer and closer to Taiwan are being increasingly “normalized,” said Marcin Jerzewski, who heads the Taiwan Office of the European Values Center for Security Policy. Moreover, operational lines are blurring between the CCG and the People’s Liberation Army Navy, he said.
However, Beijing’s actions are creating reactions.
“I believe this challenge is well understood by the Lai Ching-te administration which has prioritized maritime security, by, for example, appointing an official for maritime affairs to the National Security Council,” Mr. Jerzewski said. “And Taiwan is trying to increase the resources of its own Coast Guard with the help of third countries — especially Canada — while maximizing the work of the Taiwanese Navy to maintain the integrity of maritime sovereignty.”
The flare-up comes at a jittery time for Taiwan.
Since the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May, the status of the U.S. arms package for Taipei worth $14 billion is in limbo.
Meanwhile, various parties are conducting war games.
Taiwan this week held five days of “combat readiness” exercises and a Chinese carrier strike group transited the Taiwan Strait.
On Wednesday, U.S.-led RIMPAC exercises, which involve 25,000 troops, 45 vessels and 140 aircraft from 31 nations, got underway off Hawaii.
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