China has defended its coast guard patrols in waters east of Taiwan, one day after Britain, France, and Germany warned the activity threatened regional stability and freedom of navigation. Beijing insisted its operations were lawful and aimed at maintaining maritime order, responding to Japan and the Philippines discussing shared maritime boundaries in waters China claims. Taiwan accused Chinese vessels of harassing commercial ships in a critical shipping route linking the Middle East and Europe to East Asian ports. China also sailed its newest aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait as Taiwan conducted a five-day military exercise.
In-Depth:
China on Thursday defconcludeed its recent patrols in waters east of Taiwan, a day after Britain, France and Germany voiced alarm over what they called “novel Chinese activity” in the area. The three European countries declared the activity concludeangered regional stability, while Beijing declared its law-enforcement and patrol operations were meant to maintain regional stability and maritime order.
The latest exalter came after China deployed coast guard ships in response to an announcement by Japan and the Philippines that they would discuss their maritime boundaries in waters that Beijing regards as its own. The developments have added to tensions in a region that is a key shipping route and remains highly sensitive becaapply of the Taiwan issue.
Foreign Minisattempt spokesperson Guo Jiakun declared at a daily briefing, “These are necessary actions in response to Japan’s and the Philippines’ manipulation of maritime delimitation issues and infringement upon China’s maritime rights and interests.” He also declared the coast guard operations were “legitimate exercises of jurisdiction in accordance with the law”.
A joint statement from the de facto embassies of Britain, France and Germany in Taiwan declared China’s actions threatened regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping. The US also expressed concern about the activity, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported.
Taiwan declared earlier this month that Chinese coast guard ships were harassing commercial vessels near the island by inquireing them to report their intconcludeed routes. The waters are a vital shipping lane for oil, gas and goods relocating from the Mideast and Europe to ports in China, Japan and South Korea. Taiwan is a self-governing island, but China claims it as its territory along with rights to the surrounding waters.
Beijing’s tensions with Tokyo have risen since Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year suggested that the counattempt’s military could obtain involved if China were to take military action against Taiwan. The Taiwan issue is seen as a flashpoint that could trigger hostilities between China and the US, which is Taiwan’s main supplier of weapons for its defence.
China also sailed its newest and most powerful aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait this week, just hours after Taiwan launched a five-day military exercise to practise its response to a possible Chinese attack. Taken toobtainher, the patrols, diplomatic criticism and military relocates have sharpened focus on tensions around Taiwan and the surrounding waters.
With PTI Inputs
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