Taiwan condemns Beijing after Chinese vessels enter restricted waters near Itu Aba island
Taipei, June 13
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration has strongly criticised Beijing after two Chinese vessels briefly entered restricted waters near Taiwan-controlled Itu Aba Island in the South China Sea, marking the first such incident recorded in the area, according to Taipei Times.
As reported by Taipei Times, the CGA stated that the Chinese patrol vessel Sansha Zhifa 301 and supply ship Sansha 2 entered the restricted zone surrounding Itu Aba Island twice on Friday morning.
The report said that the incursions occurred at 8:28 am and 8:31 am, during which the Chinese vessels made sudden, sharp turns that allegedly endangered Taiwanese coast guard personnel aboard patrol boats. The Taiwanese vessels tracked the Chinese ships and repeatedly ordered them to leave the area.
Taipei Times reported that the two Chinese vessels exited the restricted waters, extending approximately 4 km to 6 km from the island's coastline, by around 8:43 a.m. Following the incident, the CGA issued what it described as its "strongest condemnation" of China's actions and reaffirmed its commitment to defending Taiwan's sovereignty and maintaining maritime security.
The CGA noted that this was the first time Chinese official vessels had been detected entering the restricted waters around Itu Aba Island. Taipei Times further reported that the incident follows a series of recent incursions by Chinese coast guard ships into waters east of Taiwan and around the Taiwan-controlled Pratas (Dongsha) Islands.
According to the report, Beijing has recently conducted several rounds of what it termed "special maritime law enforcement operations." China said these operations were launched in response to planned maritime boundary discussions between Japan and the Philippines east of Taiwan, arguing that such talks undermine China's territorial claims and maritime rights.
Itu Aba Island, located approximately 1,600 km southwest of Kaohsiung, is currently staffed byTaiwan's around 200 CGA personnel. The Pratas Islands, situated roughly 450 km southwest of Kaohsiung, are manned by about 300 coast guard personnel. The Taipei Times noted that these are the two island groups in the South China Sea that remain under Taiwan's control.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Taipei Times reporting this as 'strong condemnation' while ignoring that Taiwan itself occupies islands that historically belong to China is peak hypocrisy. China has every right to patrol these waters. The real issue here is the US and Japan stirring trouble to contain China, just like they're doing in the South China Sea with Philippines. India should stay neutral and focus on our border issues in Ladakh. 🇮🇳
As an Indian, I think we need to be careful here. China's aggressive maritime posture is concerning. Yesterday it's the South China Sea, tomorrow it could be the Strait of Malacca or the Indian Ocean. The 'string of pearls' strategy is real - watch how China is building bases from Pakistan to Sri Lanka to Myanmar. We should learn from Taiwan's experience and beef up our naval capabilities.
Interesting how this isn't getting the same coverage as the Galwan Valley incidents did in Indian media. One rule for the Himalayas, another for the South China Sea? 😒 Look, Taiwan's claim to these islands is dubious at best - they're literally called the Spratly Islands and China has always claimed them. This is just another chapter in the ongoing great game in the Indo-Pacific.
Whether we support China or Taiwan on this issue, the bigger picture is about international law and freedom of navigation. If China can just send vessels into anyone's restricted waters on a whim, what's to stop them from doing it to India's economic zones? We need a rules-based order in the region, not gunboat diplomacy.
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