Taiwan monitors Chinese ships after radio clash off eastern coast

详细摘要

Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said on Saturday it continued monitoring Chinese Coast Guard vessels operating off Taiwan's eastern coast after the two sides clashed over radio broadcasts and competing territorial claims.

Taipei, Nov. 14 (CNA) Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said on Saturday it continued monitoring Chinese Coast Guard vessels operating off Taiwan's eastern coast after the two sides clashed over radio broadcasts and competing territorial claims.

The confrontation occurred on Thursday, when the CGA vessel Hualien detected Chinese Coast Guard ship 2503 around 3 p.m., about 40 nautical miles southeast of Orchid Island and 14 nautical miles outside Taiwan's restricted waters.

The Chinese vessel broadcast that it was conducting a law enforcement patrol east of Taiwan, claiming that Taiwan was part of China, and that the People's Republic of China was the sole legitimate government representing China.

The Taiwanese vessel rejected the claims over the radio, saying the Republic of China (Taiwan) was a sovereign and independent country, and that Taiwan and China were not subordinate to each other.

It also told the Chinese vessel that the waters were within Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), where China had no jurisdiction, and demanded that it leave the area.

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, Chinese Coast Guard ship 2503 had moved away from the area and was about 67 nautical miles southeast of Taiwan's Hualien Port, the agency said.

The CGA said it would continue to monitor Chinese vessels and maintain patrols to safeguard Taiwan's maritime rights and interests.

It added that China's actions undermined freedom of navigation and regional peace and stability, and violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

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