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Taiwan’s ‘options limited’ as Beijing steps up grey zone pressure from skies to sea
- Analysts warn against ‘unintended conflict’ as string of maritime incidents reveal Beijing’s aim to deny Taiwan’s ‘right to administrate’
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Mainland China launches PLA blockade around Taiwan, 3 days after William Lai speech
Mainland China launches PLA blockade around Taiwan, 3 days after William Lai speech
Lawrence Chungin Taipei
Taiwan can do little in the face of growing maritime challenges from Beijing if it does not want to risk “unintended conflict”, according to observers.
They also cautioned that the challenges on multiple fronts – whether in the form of scientific exploration vessels, drones or coastguard patrols – were intended to weaken Taiwan’s legal control over its waters, similar to what Beijing had done in the air over the past several years.
James Yifan Chen, a professor of diplomacy and international relations at Tamkang University in New Taipei, said that, “Despite increasing grey zone pressure, Taiwan’s options are still very limited, especially when China denies Taiwan’s ‘right to administrate’.”
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In the latest such face-off, a mainland Chinese research ship came within 20 nautical miles (37km) of Taiwan’s northeastern Yilan county on July 7 before being warned off by Taiwanese coastguard.
The Tan Kah Kee, also known as the Jia Geng, is a 3,600-tonne seismic vessel equipped with acoustic sensors and weather radars, and is capable of launching uncrewed submarines for ocean floor mapping.
Taiwanese security chief Tsai Ming-yen said that the Jia Geng “did not deploy any underwater devices while near Yilan” and was likely to have been “collecting hydrological data”.
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