China patrols east of Taiwan spark diplomatic row
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- China launched a “special maritime traffic law‑enforcement operation” east of Taiwan on June 6, 2026, after Japan and the Philippines announced maritime boundary talks.
- Taiwan accused the Chinese coast guard of harassing commercial vessels by demanding origin and destination information and asserting jurisdiction in its eastern waters.
- Zhang Han, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, defended the patrols as lawful actions to safeguard national sovereignty and said China will keep strengthening control over the area.
- Lin Chia‑lung, Taiwan’s foreign minister, condemned the patrols as a pretext for expansion and asserted that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
- Xavier Chang, Taiwan’s cabinet secretary‑general, said the patrols violate international law and vowed that Taiwan will not yield any of its maritime territory.
- Pratas Islands – China asserted sovereignty over the islands and called its patrols there “normal,” while Taiwan has complained about Chinese coast guard ships approaching the islands.
Why it matters: Taiwan’s government sees the patrols as illegal harassment that threatens its maritime sovereignty and impedes commercial shipping, while China claims the operations protect its national interests and vows to tighten control, deepening diplomatic friction and limiting Taiwan’s ability to assert jurisdiction over its eastern waters.
