Chinese Ships Tail Japanese Coast Guard in Typhoon, Taipei Says
Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said five China Coast Guard ships tailed eight Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels sheltering from Typhoon Champi southwest of Penghu’s Qimei island, CNA reported. Taipei called it an attempt to create a false impression of jurisdiction over the Strait, which it called international waters.
Separately, Reuters reported, via The Straits Times, that Taiwan’s coast guard says China is combining militia and coast guard vessels to expand “battlefield preparation” around Taiwan. It identified a suspected militia boat, Minfudingyu 07902, which came within about 2.7 nautical miles of Taiwan’s restricted waters on August 16. China calls its operations off Taiwan’s east coast “legitimate and lawful.”
Japan’s 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters said no Chinese coast guard ship was confirmed in the Senkaku contiguous zone on October 22, ending a 74-day streak, Nihonkai Shimbun reported. No reason was given.
Beijing’s response to the typhoon claim has not been seen.