TAIPEI, Taiwan – Two Chinese government vessels committed a brazen and unprecedented intrusion into waters around Taiwan’s Taiping Island on the morning of June 11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (MOFA) said in a press statement.
“Following the illegal harassment by Chinese government vessels of cargo ships exercising their right to freedom of navigation in Taiwan’s eastern waters in recent days, this was another hostile escalation of gray-zone activities and part of a pattern of aggressive behavior that constitutes a grave threat to Taiwan’s sovereign rights and interests and maritime security, as well as regional peace.”
MOFA continued:
“The Chinese government’s unreasonable activities are a serious breach of international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and a flagrant attempt to undermine the international order. MOFA solemnly condemns China’s unlawful actions, which harm Taiwan’s sovereignty, undermine regional peace and stability, and challenge the international order.”
MOFA reiterates that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other and that the South China Sea Islands are part of the territory of the ROC. That the ROC enjoys all rights over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea is beyond dispute and challenge.
“The incursion of Chinese government vessels into the waters surrounding Taiping Island has severely violated Taiwan’s sovereignty and jeopardised the safety of Taiwanese vessels and personnel,” MOFA, added. “China’s malicious provocations and heavy-handed actions have severely contravened the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, other international laws pertaining to maritime safety, and the law of the sea. They have blatantly challenged the international order and disrupted regional peace, security, and stability.”
MOFA once again urges the international community to recognise the serious and immediate threat that China’s illegal actions pose to regional peace and stability, and to jointly counter China’s unlawful conduct.
Furthermore, Taiwan is a party committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. The government of Taiwan will continue to staunchly safeguard maritime security and continue to seek the support of like-minded nations in jointly maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.