China considers Taiwan’s Strait part of its territorial waters, while Taipé, Washington and allies classify it as an international sea
China has accused the collusion of collusion with “extra-regional forces” on Sunday to organize joint maritime patrols, to publicize “illegal claims” of maritime sovereignty and undermine regional stability in a new episode of tension between the two countries.
“We solemnly warn the Philippine side so that it immediately stops provoking incidents and getting involved in actions that increase tensions in the southern China Sea,” said the South Theater Command spokesman (EPL, Chinese Army), Tian Junli, quoted by Chinese state agency, Xinhua.
Tian emphasized that “attempts to cause disorders or disturb the order” in that maritime region are “condemned to failure.”
The “South Theater Command Troops remain at full alert to resolutely safeguard territorial sovereignty and China’s national security, as well as to maintain peace and stability in the southern China Sea,” he added, according to an official statement, released by Xinhua.
The Chinese navy held “routine patrols at the southern China Sea on Friday and Saturday,” the 12th and 13th, said the spokesman.
The maneuvers coincide with Beijing’s growing naval activity in the Pacific. On Saturday, the Chinese official press reported that Fujian aircraft carrier, the third in the country, had crossed the Taiwan Strait towards the southern China Sea for testing and training.
Defense experts in Taipei, cited by the CNA news agency, warned that future entry into the service of Fujian will allow China to permanently operate three aircraft holder combat groups, which will increase pressure on Taiwan and expand Beijing’s naval projection in relation to the United States.
On the same day, the Taiwan Coast Guard denounced the presence of a coast guard ship and a Chinese fishing boat near Dongsha Island, under Taiwanese control, which forced patrols to expel them.
Taipei classified the raids as “tactics in the gray zone” and pledged to maintain vigilance.
China considers Taiwan’s Strait part of its territorial waters, while Taipé, Washington and allies classify it as an international sea.
Traffic of war ships in the area usually increases the tension between the two margins, in a context of growing military mobilization of Beijing around the island.
The Southern China Sea, where the aircraft carrier is directed, is another focus of friction: Beijing claims most of this maritime space, also disputed by countries such as Philippines or Vietnam.
