China's patrols in the Taiwan Strait are most likely an attempt to blur the strait's median line in a one-sided assertion of jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. That was the conclusion of Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) who made the comments in the legislature while responding to questions from lawmakers on Thursday. The median line refers to the unofficial line dividing the Chinese and Taiwanese sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The Defense Ministry also released footage of the Chinese Navy's Shandong fleet crossing the Bashi Channel on May 5. Several legislators voiced their concerns that China is attempting to unilaterally enforce its jurisdiction in the Channel. Chiu said the military will continue to monitor the situation closely, but that it seems to him that the median line “no longer exists." The new naval moves by China are likely in response to President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) visit to California to meet with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The comments come as China's Fujian Maritime Safety Administration announced on Wednesday that it would implement on-site inspections on cross-strait flights and vessels. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council expressed strong dissatisfaction with the move.
The Council said the inspections violate cross-strait maritime transport agreements and general maritime practices. It adds that there will be serious adverse impacts on the traffic between the two sides of the Strait. They stressed that if China insists on creating obstacles to cross-strait exchanges, Taiwan will be forced to take corresponding measures.
The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration said it is working with theDefense Ministry to maintain regular patrols to protect the safety and rights of Taiwanese vessels and personnel.