Taiwan-China Relations

China Expands Coast Guard Patrols in Waters East of Taiwan

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By Klein Wang/Lery Hiciano

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Chinese coast guard and other maritime law-enforcement vessels have increasingly been patrolling waters east of Taiwan, raising concerns over Beijing’s efforts to assert maritime jurisdiction and sovereignty in the region.

China Coast Guard Expands Patrols

REPORTER:  
This is just one example of an uptick in Chinese maritime activity to Taiwan’s east. Beijing has stepped it up in recent months, including so-called ‘law enforcement patrols’, looking to enforce its maritime claims and exercise jurisdiction in the area.

While maritime tensions across the Taiwan Strait are nothing new, increased Chinese activity off Taiwan’s east coast presents a new challenge and could expose a vulnerability in the country’s defense.

Ray Powell (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEALIGHT FOUNDATION):  
China is working on trying to further isolate Taiwan. And so by by patrolling to the east, that sends the message that China controls the eastern approaches. Of course, east is where Taiwan's help would come from.

Using paramilitary forces, coast guard, maritime safety ships, those kinds of things. Sends a message not just of strength, but of sovereignty.

REPORTER:  
In late May, Japan and the Philippines agreed to begin talks to define the boundaries of their exclusive economic zones.

China said the area in question overlapped with its own claims in the region, and started sending patrols to the area.

Since then, Chinese coast guard ships have become an increasingly common sight to Taiwan's east.

But there's more to it than just boundaries.

Ray Powell (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEALIGHT FOUNDATION):  
China wants to be out there. It's very strategically important to be out there. They needed a pretext. The delimitation talks gave them the pretext and they took the opportunity. But if it hadn't been that, it would have been something else.

REPORTER:  
China has not ruled out taking Taiwan by force, and its growing presence to the east of the country threatens critical links to the outside world.

Many of Taiwan's undersea internet cables pass through these waters, carrying much of its communications.

In the event of a conflict, keeping sea lanes open to the east would also be crucial for ensuring outside support can reach the country.

Chen Kuo-ming (EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL):  
This [maritime corridor] is necessary not only for Taiwan and China but also for Japan and South Korea. Maintaining this maritime lifeline will likely require a certain number of large vessels.

REPORTER:  
In response to growing maritime pressure, Taiwan has expanded its coast guard and naval fleets.

It is set to upgrade its ship-based missile defense systems to better combat Chinese air power.

And over the summer, the military held exercises on outlying Green and Orchid Islands in the east.

REPORTER:  
And with China's growing presence in the area, regional leaders now have another factor to consider in their defense strategy.