BREAKING: Chinese Warships Escort Marine Survey in Taiwan, Japan and Philippine EEZs, Signaling a Challenge to First Island Chain

It was revealed on the 28th that multiple China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels began making routine voyages in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) south of Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, in June, and commenced escorting Chinese marine research vessels and government ships. The Japanese government has also confirmed this activity. Although China has long claimed "jurisdiction" over this area—located east of Taiwan—the actual exercise of such authority is highly unusual. This move clearly signals opposition to the fact that Japan and the Philippines have designated this same area as a subject for maritime boundary delimitation negotiations.

中国海警局の複数の艦船が6月、沖縄県・与那国島南方の日本の排他的経済水域(EEZ)での航行を常態化させ、中国の海洋調査船と公船の護衛を始めたことが28日、分かった。日本政府もこの動きを確認した。この海域は台湾の東方で、中国は「管轄権」を主張してきたが、実際に権限を行使するのは極めて異例だ。同じ海域を日本とフィリピンが境界画定交渉の対象としたのに対抗する姿勢を鮮明にした。

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Rigging the Game: PRC Oil Structures Encroach on Taiwan’s Pratas (Dongsha) Island

Beijing’s relentless pressure on Taiwan now includes oil rigs: twelve permanent or semi-permanent structures and dozens of associated ships. The structures, which are owned by state-owned firm CNOOC, include seven rig structures, three floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, and two semi-submersible oil platforms. All are located within Taiwan’s claimed exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Pratas/Dongsha Island.

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