China has launched what it describes as a special maritime law enforcement operation in waters east of Taiwan following plans by Japan and the Philippines to begin talks on defining maritime boundaries in the region.
The operation, announced on Saturday by China’s Ministry of Transport and local authorities, is intended to enforce Beijing’s maritime jurisdiction and protect what it considers its national interests. The move comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to start negotiations on the limits of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.
Beijing has strongly objected to the planned talks, arguing that the waters involved lie east of Taiwan and fall within areas claimed by China.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said any discussions on maritime boundaries in those waters must include China and accused Japan and the Philippines of bypassing Beijing in violation of international law. Taiwan has also voiced concerns, saying the proposed negotiations overlap with areas where it claims rights and interests, and called on both countries to consult with Taipei.
Japan has maintained that any future agreement between Tokyo and Manila would not be legally binding on other parties. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s coast guard said it deployed at least five vessels to monitor the situation after Chinese government ships departed from the mainland port of Xiamen.
The latest developments add to ongoing tensions over Taiwan, which China regards as part of its territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated that force remains an option for achieving reunification, while relations between China and Japan have been strained since late 2025 over comments linking a potential Taiwan conflict to Japanese security interests.
The old Japs up to their goading war mongering ways again. As for the Philippines, its so called govt is ripe with corruption, an utter joke in most respects that matter. China will squash them like ants if they misbehave.