Taipei: The United Kingdom, Germany, and France's representative offices in Taiwan have collectively raised alarms over China's recent "special maritime law enforcement operations" in waters east of Taiwan, highlighting the potential threat to regional stability. The British Office Taipei, the German Institute Taipei, and the French Office in Taipei issued a joint statement addressing their concerns about China's activities in the area.

According to Focus Taiwan, the joint statement emphasized that these actions could compromise regional stability, as well as the freedom of navigation and safety of international shipping. The offices, which represent their countries' interests in Taiwan due to the absence of formal diplomatic ties, have underscored their opposition to any unilateral changes to the status quo, especially those involving threats, force, or coercion. They also stressed the importance of respecting navigational rights and ensuring the safety of seafarers and vessels.

While the statement did not specify the exact nature of the "novel Chinese activity" in the waters east of Taiwan, it likely referred to several rounds of "special maritime law enforcement operations" initiated by China since late last month. Beijing claims these operations were a response to unilateral actions by Japan and the Philippines, who have begun discussions on maritime boundary delimitation east of Taiwan, actions China argues infringe on its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

According to Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration, Chinese coast guard and other official vessels have been active in waters to the east of Taiwan and around Taiwan-controlled islands in the South China Sea in recent weeks. These operations have included intercepting passing merchant ships, further escalating tensions in the region.