Integrated patrols signal Beijing ‘asserting claims’ in Taiwan Strait, South China Sea

Beijing says latest operation designed to ‘enhance maritime traffic control and emergency rescue capabilities’ as Taiwan keeps watchful eye

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As many as 55,000 fishing vessels are reported to have entered the East China Sea and South China Sea as a summer fishing ban ended on Friday. Photo: Xinhua

Amber Wangin Beijing,Sylvie Zhuangin BeijingandLawrence Chungin Taipei

Published: 10:00pm, 19 Aug 2024Updated: 11:06pm, 19 Aug 2024

Ramped-up mainland Chinese patrols in the Taiwan Strait signal Beijing’s resolve to intensify maritime control amid heightened tensions with Taipei, according to analysts.

The mainland’s Ministry of Transport said it had carried out a patrol and law enforcement operation in the Taiwan Strait on the weekend, in an operation designed to “enhance maritime traffic control and emergency rescue capabilities”.

Observers said the 30-hour exercise starting Saturday was the latest in integrated mainland patrol operations – involving navy, coastguard and other law enforcement and civil forces – to assert Beijing’s rights in the strait and in disputed waters including the South China Sea.

Reports in mainland state media also indicated that the forces would “coordinate” further amid escalating cross-strait tensions.

The patrol came shortly after the start of the fishing season along the southeastern mainland coast on Friday, a time when a large number of fishing vessels enter the strait, the South China Sea and other regional waters.

This raised the risk of collision with commercial ships, state-backed Beijing News cited the ministry as saying.