China's East Taiwan Sea Patrol Sparks Warning from US, UK, France and Germany

China's Ministry of Transport organized a special maritime traffic law‑enforcement operation east of Taiwan from June 6‑10, deploying the Fujian and Guangdong maritime safety administrations, the East China Sea Navigation Support Center and the East China Sea Rescue Bureau. The United States State Department spokesman said the action “seriously undermines stability,” while the United Kingdom, France and Germany issued a joint statement warning that the patrol “threatens regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping.”

The three European governments reaffirmed opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, stating that “all navigational rights and freedoms and the safety of seafarers and vessels must be guaranteed and respected.” Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the statements and highlighted continued U.S. support for peace in the Taiwan Strait. China defended the operation as a necessary response to Japan and the Philippines’ maritime boundary talks and maintained that Taiwan is part of its sovereign territory.