A Chinese mainland scientific research vessel recently conducted a fisheries resource survey in the waters east of Taiwan. Mainland state media reported that during the period, a Japanese patrol vessel tried to approach, but was intercepted by a China Coast Guard ship.
According to a Global Times report on Monday, the “Lan Hai 201” scientific survey ship of the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, set out to the seas east of Taiwan from July 17 to 23 for a seven-day fisheries resource survey.
The report stated that during the seven-day voyage, not only did “certain foreign military aircraft” hover above the Chinese survey ship, but the Japan Coast Guard also deployed the PLH42 “Shungou” patrol vessel, attempting to approach the Chinese scientific research vessel.
The report pointed out that the China Coast Guard 2305 ship, which was carrying out routine law enforcement patrols in the surrounding waters, maintained a high level of vigilance and intercepted the Japanese vessel “Shungou” beyond a distance of 14 nautical miles (25.9 kilometers) from the Chinese research ship, making it difficult for the Japanese patrol vessel to get close.
In response to the Chinese research vessel’s activities, Kyodo News reported that Japan’s 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Naha) announced on Monday that a Chinese marine research vessel had left the waters of Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu Islands by China) around 1:30 a.m. local time.
Shen Youzhong, Deputy Chairman of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, stated on Monday that the Chinese mainland’s coast guard vessels, research vessels, and maritime ships conducting law enforcement patrols in the eastern waters of Taiwan are “neither legal nor legitimate.” The Taiwan government has lodged a stern protest and called on the international community to pay due attention.