China Defends Coast Guard Patrols Near Taiwan After European Protest

China on Thursday defended its recent coast guard patrols in waters east of Taiwan, a day after Britain, France and Germany expressed alarm over what they called 'novel Chinese activity' that they said endangered regional stability.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the patrols were 'necessary actions' in response to Japan and the Philippines discussing maritime boundaries in waters that Beijing considers its own. He described the operations as 'legitimate exercises of jurisdiction in accordance with the law' aimed at maintaining regional stability and maritime order.

The three European nations issued a joint statement through their de facto embassies in Taiwan, warning that China's actions threatened regional stability, freedom of navigation, and the safety of international shipping. The United States also expressed concern, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.

Earlier this month, Taiwan said Chinese coast guard vessels had been harassing commercial vessels near the island by demanding they report their intended routes. The waters are a vital shipping lane for oil, gas, and goods transported from West Asia and Europe to ports in China, Japan, and South Korea.

Taiwan is a self-governing island, but China claims it as part of its territory along with rights to the surrounding waters. The Taiwan issue is considered a flashpoint that could spark hostilities between China and the United States, which is the main supplier of weaponry to Taiwan for its defence.

China sailed its newest and most powerful aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait this week, just hours after Taiwan began a five-day military exercise to practice its response to a possible Chinese attack.

Beijing's tensions with Tokyo have increased since Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year suggested the country's military could get involved if China were to take military action against Taiwan.