Taiwan Responds to Chinese Coast Guard, Research Vessel Incursion

China has announced a new round of what it calls regular law enforcement patrols in the waters east of Taiwan. Chinese state media recently reported that a group of Chinese Coast Guard ships was patrolling an area of Taiwan's east coast, which they call China's island of Taiwan, saying the operation was aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights. In response, Taiwan's Coast Guard said China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan's waters. China has also been sending more civilian ships to the same area. In August, Chinese research vessels spent more than half the month collecting data on Taiwan's undersea environment. Beijing says the research provides a scientific basis for China to better manage the waters it claims in the area. The Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's agency handling relations with China, has raised concerns about Taiwan's ability to respond. A recent report by the Institute for the Study of War shows China's increasingly regular Coast Guard patrols east of Taiwan are part of a long-term strategy of gray zone warfare. Hostile actions intended to wear down an opponent but fall short of outright conflict. China claims Taiwan as its territory and is willing to take it by force. Experts say Beijing is increasingly relying on Coast Guard and research vessels to pressure Taiwan, rather than more costly naval exercises. The Mainland Affairs Council says a recent poll shows 75 percent of Taiwanese view China's deployment of ships to patrol waters east of Taiwan as a hostile act. Authorities here are calling for more support for Taiwan's Coast Guard and Navy. Fu Hua-hong and Anna Lu for Taiwan Plus.