Chinese state media recently claimed that the undersea survey conducted in the eastern waters of Taiwan has integrated the area into China's permanent management system, marking the beginning of a 'coastal governance' regime around Taiwan. This assertion was made on June 11.
The Ministry of Transport of China conducted a special maritime law enforcement operation and undersea survey in the eastern waters of Taiwan from June 6 to 10, in collaboration with maritime authorities from Fujian and Guangdong provinces, the East China Sea Navigation Guarantee Center, and the East China Sea Rescue Center. This response comes as Japan and the Philippines pursue negotiations to delineate the boundaries of their exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and continental shelf in the area, which China views as a violation of its 'One China' principle.
The social media platform Yuyuantantian, operated by China Central Television (CCTV), reported that "China has conducted its first undersea survey under the maritime law enforcement system, completing the seabed mapping of the area." It added that various departments, including the Coast Guard, local maritime authorities, and the East China Sea Navigation Guarantee Center, have collaborated to establish a 'coastal governance' model targeting Taiwan.
Yuyuantantian noted, "While Chinese law enforcement agencies have previously conducted training and patrols in the eastern waters of Taiwan, it is unusual for the Ministry of Transport to officially announce administrative jurisdiction actions on its own."
The platform explained that although past training was sufficient for deterrence, recent external forces have questioned China's ability to exercise jurisdiction in the eastern waters of Taiwan, even suggesting that the area is a 'blank space' in China's maritime claims. This operation aims to correct such misconceptions by integrating the eastern waters of Taiwan into a permanent management system through special maritime law enforcement and navigational safety support.
Yuyuantantian further stated, "This operation establishes a comprehensive management system that includes patrols, supervision, technical support, and emergency rescue, closely linking Coast Guard activities to create a multi-dimensional control network of patrols, law enforcement, and support. This signifies a strategic breakthrough for China to exercise effective jurisdiction in the waters surrounding Taiwan."
The platform added, "By entering a coastal governance system through this operation, the term 'Taiwan Strait' will gradually disappear, sending a clear signal that the eastern waters of Taiwan are our (China's mainland) 'coastal waters' that we exist in, govern, and manage."
The Global Times, another state-run media outlet, commented on June 11 that this operation is a precise counteraction to Japan and the Philippines' unilateral declaration of the so-called 'maritime boundary negotiation' in the eastern waters of Taiwan, which it views as a provocation against China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. It described the operation as "completely justified, necessary, and timely."
The commentary stated, "This law enforcement operation is a core element of the national unification strategy and will comprehensively reorganize the management and control structure of the waters surrounding Taiwan. As external forces increasingly attempt to militarize and ally around the Taiwan issue, mainland China will rely more on strong law enforcement capabilities to systematize, institutionalize, and normalize control over the waters surrounding Taiwan."
Taiwan has strongly opposed China's patrols in its EEZ, claiming they violate international law. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu stated at a press conference on June 10 that the Chinese Communist Party is attempting to change the status quo and establish a new normal. He emphasized that Taiwan will collaborate with like-minded countries to jointly respond to China's military expansion.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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