Taipei:Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) announced ongoing surveillance of Chinese Coast Guard vessels following a radio confrontation over territorial claims off Taiwan's eastern coast.

According to Focus Taiwan, the incident occurred when the CGA vessel Hualien detected Chinese Coast Guard ship 2503 on Thursday, around 3 p.m., approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Orchid Island and 14 nautical miles outside Taiwan's restricted waters. The Chinese vessel claimed it was conducting a law enforcement patrol and broadcast that Taiwan is part of China, asserting the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing China.

In response, the Taiwanese vessel rejected the Chinese claims, asserting that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other. The Taiwanese vessel also stated that the waters were within Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), where China had no jurisdiction, and demanded that the Chinese vessel leave the area.

By 8 a.m. Saturday, the Chinese Coast Guard ship 2503 had moved away from the initial location and was about 67 nautical miles southeast of Taiwan's Hualien Port. The CGA emphasized its commitment to monitoring Chinese vessels and maintaining patrols to protect Taiwan's maritime rights and interests.

The CGA further criticized China's actions, stating that they undermined freedom of navigation, regional peace, and stability, and violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.