According to a data analysis released on June 22, China's coast guard has started escorting its government vessels in the western Pacific waters where the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Japan and the Philippines overlap.
The move is seen as an assertion of Beijing's jurisdiction near Taiwan, an area of strategic maritime and military importance. Chinese coast guard ships have been present in these waters for months, but the escort operations have only been recorded recently.
Based on satellite imagery and maritime monitoring data, the analysis indicates at least two Chinese coast guard vessels escorted a geological survey ship through the overlapping EEZ between Japan and the Philippines. Experts believe Beijing aims to establish a precedent of control in the area.
Tokyo and Manila have both expressed concern, asserting their sovereignty over the waters based on international law. The Japanese government is coordinating with the Philippines to closely monitor Chinese vessel activities and stands ready to respond appropriately.
This marks the first time China has organized government vessel escorts far from its territory into waters off Taiwan, signaling a new escalation in the maritime sovereignty disputes across the Indo-Pacific region.
