China announced Saturday that a new coast guard task group, led by the vessel Xiushan, has begun patrols east of Taiwan, replacing a previous unit. Beijing described the mission as “law enforcement patrols” in waters it claims fall under Chinese jurisdiction, vowing to safeguard sovereignty and maritime rights.

Taiwan condemned the move, calling it an unlawful expansion of authority and a violation of international law. The Mainland Affairs Council stated that “China has no sovereignty or jurisdiction over waters east of Taiwan,” stressing that Chinese vessels hold no legal enforcement power there. Taiwan’s coast guard confirmed it deployed two ships to shadow and monitor the Chinese vessels, asserting sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone.
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This marks the second time in a month that China has dispatched coast guard ships to the area. The patrols add to near-daily military operations around Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. Analysts warn that beyond military threats, China could employ a law-enforcement-led maritime blockade to assert control over commercial shipping routes.

The escalation has drawn international concern, with the U.S., France, Germany, and Britain already engaged diplomatically in the dispute. Rising tensions east of Taiwan highlight the fragile balance in the region, where Beijing’s claims clash directly with Taipei’s sovereignty and international law.