Taiwan: China's trespass rule undermines regional peace, stability
At A Glance
- China's Coast Guard Order No. 3 authorizes the China Coast Guard to board, inspect, and detain foreign vessels and persons suspected of violating exit and entry management procedures in waters that China considers to be under its jurisdiction.
Taiwan said it will work with like-minded countries to address the effects of China’s Coast Guard Order No. 3 which it said increased regional tensions.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said this as China’s controversial order took effect on Saturday, June 15.
In a statement, Taiwan slammed the Chinese order, saying it would affect freedom of navigation in the region.
“This move has provoked a high degree of international concern. In addition to increasing regional tensions, it will impact navigation safety for international commercial and fishing vessels,” it said.
“By unilaterally announcing the implementation of this measure, China is undermining regional peace and stability,” it added.
China’s Coast Guard Order No. 3 authorizes the China Coast Guard to board, inspect, and detain foreign vessels and persons suspected of violating exit and entry management procedures in waters that China considers to be under its jurisdiction.
According to Taiwan’s MOFA, China has recently used military threats and gray-zone coercion against neighboring countries under the pretext of maintaining maritime order and improving governance at sea.
“Its actions have seriously compromised regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” it said.
“MOFA strongly condemns the government of China for failing to comply with international law and the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” it added.
With this, the MOFA said it would closely monitor the situation and would coordinate with allies to respond to related developments.
“Taiwan will continue to ensure the safe passage of foreign vessels and personnel through waters under Taiwan’s jurisdiction,” it said.
“Taiwan will also further coordinate with its regional allies and like-minded countries to jointly and appropriately deal with the potential consequences of this issue in order to maintain regional stability and the rules-based international order,” it added.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad hoped that China would not enforce the rule as it would be a “drastic escalation” of tensions in the disputed waters.
He added that China “has no right” to implement unilateral laws in the South China Sea, particularly in waters encompassing the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“We are concerned, but not only us. Even other maritime countries that use our sea lanes are concerned,” he said.