Britain, France and Germany have jointly expressed concern over China’s recent maritime activities off Taiwan’s eastern coast, warning that the operations could undermine regional stability and threaten freedom of navigation in one of Asia’s most sensitive strategic areas.
The rare joint statement follows Beijing’s decision earlier this month to deploy coast guard vessels into waters east of Taiwan as part of what Chinese authorities described as a “special maritime traffic law-enforcement operation.”
China said the patrols were launched in response to plans by Japan and the Philippines to begin formal discussions on maritime boundaries in waters Beijing claims fall within its jurisdiction.
However, Taiwan has strongly rejected China’s position, insisting that the waters off its eastern coastline are not subject to Chinese authority and accusing Beijing of attempting to expand its control beyond internationally recognised limits.
In their coordinated statement, the de facto embassies of Britain, France and Germany in Taipei said they were concerned by what they described as “novel Chinese activity” in the area.
The three European governments warned that such actions risk destabilising the region and could threaten the safety of international shipping routes.
“We reiterate our opposition to any unilateral change to the status quo, particularly by threat or use of force or coercion,” the statement said.
Taiwanese authorities have accused Chinese coast guard vessels of harassing commercial ships transiting the area. Officials said at least three merchant vessels were questioned by Chinese personnel regarding their routes and destinations, with Beijing asserting jurisdiction over the waters.
China defended the operation, saying coast guard personnel inspected nearly 200 vessels and corrected violations involving three ships. Beijing also said the patrols included hydrographic surveys and monitoring of areas containing undersea communication cables.
Speaking in Beijing, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han said the patrols were lawful and necessary to protect China’s maritime rights and national sovereignty.
She argued that waters currently being discussed by Japan and the Philippines form part of China’s exclusive economic zone and therefore fall under Chinese jurisdiction.
The dispute highlights growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait as Beijing continues to increase military, diplomatic and maritime pressure on the self-governed island.
Although Britain, France and Germany do not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, all three have increasingly voiced concern about China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific and have supported maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The latest European intervention reflects growing international scrutiny of Beijing’s efforts to assert greater control over maritime areas surrounding Taiwan, particularly as concerns rise over the potential impact on global trade routes and regional security.
Taiwan’s government continues to reject China’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only the people of Taiwan can determine the island’s future and that Beijing has no legal authority over its territory or surrounding waters.
