South China Sea: Taiwan Accuses China of Harassment
Taiwanese authorities say a Chinese vessel entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands, marking the 13th such encounter this year.
By Claire Herrera ·
Tension persists in the South China Sea as diplomatic relations between the two major powers remain strained. The Taiwan Coast Guard accused China of hostilities following a confrontation near a disputed coral island.
A Chinese coast guard vessel entered waters close to the Pratas Islands, a coral formation southwest of Taiwan's main island, early Saturday morning. The Taiwan Coast Guard stated that one of its ships intercepted the Chinese vessel and requested that it withdraw from the area.
During the encounter, the two ships closed to a distance of just 1.9 kilometers, or one nautical mile, according to the Taiwan Coast Guard. The agency described the proximity as part of a pattern of increasing pressure from Beijing in the region.
Taiwan's coast guard labeled this event the 13th similar intrusion near the Pratas Islands this year. The agency noted that 16 vessels were involved in these incidents over the course of the year. It urged Beijing to stop what it called "useless acts of harassment" immediately.
Beijing maintains that the waters it patrols fall under its jurisdiction. On the same day, China announced that its coast guard had dispatched a group of ships for a "routine law enforcement patrol" in waters east of Taiwan. A statement from the Chinese coast guard service said it would continue to intensify patrols to safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.
China views Taiwan, a democratically governed island, as a breakaway province. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to annex the island. In recent months, the Chinese government has increased the frequency of coast guard patrols, particularly in waters east of Taiwan, which has raised alarms in Taipei.
European powers have also taken note of the rising activity. In June, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement expressing concern over Chinese activities east of Taiwan. The three nations asserted that the actions threatened regional stability.
Source: Pioneer Press
