Taiwan denounces China's illegal maritime patrol near its eastern waters

China launched a “special maritime regulation enforcement operation” east of Taiwan, deploying coast guard vessels after Japan and the Philippines began formal talks on their maritime boundaries. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move as an unlawful assertion of jurisdiction in waters where Beijing has no enforcement rights, warning it threatens regional stability and the rules‑based order. The Taiwanese coast guard echoed the criticism, stating that Taiwan’s maritime sovereignty cannot be violated and that any foreign claim will be repelled. China later announced the patrol had ended, saying it had inspected 198 vessels, rectified three violations, conducted a hydrographic survey and checked undersea‑cable areas. Taiwan reiterated that only its people can decide their future and that any attempt to assert jurisdiction will be expelled without exception.