Link to article: ‘Turn around immediately’: Taiwan warns off Chinese coast guard boats again as tensions simmer | Reuters
Taiwan warned off China coast guard ships that entered restricted waters two days in a row. Since last month, Chinese coast guard ships have been regularly patrolling the restricted waters near Kinmen, islands that hug China’s coast since two Chinese nationals died fleeing Taiwan’s coast guard. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, increasing military activities near it in recent years, violating Taiwan’s air defense zones daily. Recently, Taiwan dispatched coast guard ships to assist China in the rescue of a Chinese fisherman that went overboard near the Taiwan-controlled Matsu islands, in the northern end of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan officials say China is sending out mixed signals lately, harassing Taiwan, but also requesting aid with maritime accidents.
China’s repeated invasion of Taiwan’s waters is breach of sovereignty, but there’s a catch. Taiwan’s status as a country is heavily debated, only being recognized by a handful of states. China’s repeat offenses is clearly meant to send a message to Taiwan, saying that they don’t respect their statehood, which they have said as much. Though the strange part of this scenario is China requests for maritime aid for accidents. Is it that they are trying to push the Taiwan is part of China narrative even more? Even Taiwan officials have expressed confusion at China’s bipolar behavior.
Taiwan’s sovereignty is a hotly debated topic, and unfortunately due to their microchip exports and how important they are to the rest of the world, this situation will likely come to blows before it’s resolved. The US and most other countries refuse to acknowledge Taiwan’s statehood in order to not anger China. The increase of military operations near Taiwan is also worrying, as this could foreshadow an attack on Taiwan. The regional and global effects of a war between China and Taiwan could be catastrophic, especially with the economic strings attached.