Chinese Coast Guard patrols Taiwan's east coast waters; U.S., Britain, France, Germany object

Chinese Coast Guard vessels conducted patrols and a hydrographic survey in waters off Taiwan’s east coast earlier in June. The operation inspected 198 merchant ships and recorded violations on three vessels. The United States, Britain, France and Germany issued statements on Wednesday criticizing the activity.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said China’s actions are deeply destabilizing and rejected any Chinese assertion of authority to interfere with navigation, overflight, cable laying or other lawful uses of the sea. The spokesperson added that Beijing was undermining the peaceful resolution of issues.

The de facto British, French and German embassies in Taipei issued a joint statement describing the activity as concerning. “These actions threaten regional stability and the freedom of navigation and safety of international shipping,” the statement said.

It reiterated opposition to any unilateral change to the status quo by threat or use of force and said navigational rights and the safety of seafarers must be guaranteed.

China stated the June 2026 operation responded to Japan and the Philippines beginning formal talks on their maritime boundaries. It also sent maritime survey ships into the same area and reported that the patrol patrolled areas where undersea cables are located.

Taiwan stated that three passing merchant ships were harassed when Chinese vessels asked for origin and destination information and claimed jurisdiction.

Taiwan added that the waters off its east coast are not China’s and that Beijing has no right to claim jurisdiction. Zhang Han, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said the waters form part of China’s exclusive economic zone and that the patrols were lawful actions to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights.

The United States, Britain, France and Germany maintain no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.