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Largest Chinese patrol ship in Taiwan Strait opens up diplomatic route to law enforcement: analysts
- Commissioning of the Haixun 06 mega patrol ship seen to signal bigger role for the civilian, less controversial Maritime Safety Administration
- The Chinese coastguard has drawn negative press in recent months over activities in disputed waters in the South and East China seas
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Beijing has commissioned what it says is its largest patrol and rescue ship to be stationed in the Taiwan Strait, in a move analysts believe would open up a more diplomatic channel for the enforcement of Chinese maritime laws.
The Haixun 06 was assigned to the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration on Monday, state news agency Xinhua reported. The vessel will strengthen surveillance capabilities along the coast of the southeastern province, located just a few hundred kilometres from Taiwan.
This comes after the Chinese foreign ministry asserted in June that Beijing had “sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction” over the Taiwan Strait, in a marked departure from past statements calling it an “international waterway shared by the mainland and Taiwan”.
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Washington and Taipei countered Beijing’s claim, saying the strait represented international waters where “high seas freedoms” were guaranteed.
03:09
US President Joe Biden says US military will defend Taiwan if attacked
US President Joe Biden says US military will defend Taiwan if attacked
The Haixun 06 is a response to naval activities of other states in the Taiwan Strait, said Zhou Chenming, a researcher from the Yuan Wang military science and technology think tank in Beijing.
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