Taiwan has criticised the China Coast Guard over what it described as dangerous manoeuvres involving a Philippine fisheries vessel near Palawan….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Taiwan has condemned what it described as dangerous manoeuvres by the China Coast Guard involving a Philippine fisheries vessel near Palawan, warning that such actions could threaten maritime safety and regional stability.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the reported incident involved a Philippine vessel near Palawan in the Philippines. In a statement posted on X, the ministry described the actions as coercive and provocative and said they endangered lives and maritime safety.
“MOFA strongly condemns the China Coast Guard’s dangerous manoeuvres against a Philippine fisheries vessel near Palawan. Such coercive and provocative actions endanger lives, maritime safety and regional stability. Taiwan will keep working with partners for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the ministry said.
The incident occurred on September 18, when a China Coast Guard vessel reportedly collided with a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel carrying out a mission to provide fuel assistance to Filipino fishermen. The Philippine Coast Guard said the incident took place about 54 nautical miles off Palawan.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Chinese vessel carried out a series of manoeuvres before making contact with the BFAR vessel, causing damage to railings and other structures. No injuries were reported. China disputed the Philippine account, saying its vessel had conducted law enforcement operations and accusing the Philippine vessel of disregarding warnings and changing course.
Taiwan’s latest statement comes amid its own disputes with Beijing over maritime activity. In June, Taiwan’s foreign ministry accused Chinese coast guard vessels of entering waters east of Taiwan and interfering with ships exercising freedom of navigation. Taiwan said such actions violated international law and its sovereign rights.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) also criticised Chinese coast guard patrols east of Taiwan in July, arguing that Beijing had no sovereignty, jurisdiction or law enforcement authority in those waters.
The council said China’s description of the operations as “law enforcement patrols” did not establish legal authority and argued that repeated actions could not make them lawful.
Following the July patrols, Taiwan said its Coast Guard Administration and other government agencies would take measures to safeguard the security of waters surrounding the island.
Taipei has also said it would continue working with international partners to support freedom of navigation and the security of regional sea lanes, while opposing attempts to alter the existing regional order through force or coercion.
The latest incident near Palawan has drawn wider attention because it involves a Philippine civilian government vessel operating in waters that have been the scene of repeated encounters between Chinese and Philippine vessels.
Philippine authorities have described the September 18 incident as dangerous and called on China to stop actions that could put lives at sea at risk.
Taiwan’s statement places the incident within its broader call for maritime safety and a free and open Indo Pacific, while tensions continue over competing claims and coast guard operations in the region.
