Washington: The United States has described China's maritime activities off Taiwan's east coast as "deeply destabilising", responding to a Reuters report of the first known sighting of a Chinese maritime militia boat in those waters in August.
A US State Department spokesperson said Beijing's actions only worsened tensions and urged China to stop pressuring Taiwan and instead engage in "meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected authorities". China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up activity off the island's east coast since June with regular coast guard patrols. Taiwan rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.
Why the east coast matters
Officials in Taiwan say they believe China is practising for a possible maritime blockade, using overlapping military, paramilitary and civilian assets. Taipei regards the waters off its east coast as critical to wartime supply routes from allies in the event of a blockade or conflict.
Taiwan's Coast Guard said in a statement that the militia boat and its accompanying vessels had all remained outside "restricted waters". China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A familiar playbook
The maritime militia — a practice dating to the 1950s — consists of fishing vessels whose crews receive training and support to operate in disputed waters, often alongside coast guard ships. It is more commonly seen around South China Sea flashpoints than off Taiwan's east coast.
Back in June, Britain, France, Germany and the United States had already expressed concern over Chinese activities in the area, calling them a threat to regional stability and freedom of navigation.
The State Department's remarks also land at a sensitive moment for US-Taiwan ties: President Donald Trump has yet to approve a new $14 billion arms sale package for the island, Washington's most important international backer.
Sources:
- Reuters: US says Chinese actions off Taiwan are 'deeply destabilising'
A US State Department spokesperson said Beijing's actions only worsened tensions and urged China to stop pressuring Taiwan and instead engage in "meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected authorities". China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up activity off the island's east coast since June with regular coast guard patrols. Taiwan rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.
Why the east coast matters
Officials in Taiwan say they believe China is practising for a possible maritime blockade, using overlapping military, paramilitary and civilian assets. Taipei regards the waters off its east coast as critical to wartime supply routes from allies in the event of a blockade or conflict.
Taiwan's Coast Guard said in a statement that the militia boat and its accompanying vessels had all remained outside "restricted waters". China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A familiar playbook
The maritime militia — a practice dating to the 1950s — consists of fishing vessels whose crews receive training and support to operate in disputed waters, often alongside coast guard ships. It is more commonly seen around South China Sea flashpoints than off Taiwan's east coast.
Back in June, Britain, France, Germany and the United States had already expressed concern over Chinese activities in the area, calling them a threat to regional stability and freedom of navigation.
The State Department's remarks also land at a sensitive moment for US-Taiwan ties: President Donald Trump has yet to approve a new $14 billion arms sale package for the island, Washington's most important international backer.
Sources:
- Reuters: US says Chinese actions off Taiwan are 'deeply destabilising'
