Taiwan‘s government has strongly condemned China‘s actions, accusing it of breaching international law by drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The statement from Taiwan’s presidential office came after revelations that several Chinese oil rigs and associated vessels were detected inside Taiwan’s EEZ, near the disputed Pratas Islands, which are under Taiwanese control.
According to the Jamestown Foundation, a US-based think tank, these assets have been operating in the area for up to five years and are owned by the Chinese state-run China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
Taiwan’s presidential office spokesperson, Karen Kuo, has called for China to “clearly explain” its actions and “immediately cease illegal deployment and exploitation activities in the economic waters of countries in the region, including Taiwan”.
Kuo emphasized that China’s actions not only violate international legal norms, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), but also seriously undermine the international order and pose uncertain risks to regional stability.
Exclusive Economic Zones are maritime areas established under international law, specifically UNCLOS, which grants coastal states sovereign rights over the exploration and use of marine resources.
These zones extend up to 200 nautical miles from a coastal state’s baseline and are crucial for managing and conserving marine resources while balancing the interests of coastal states and the international community.
However, Taiwan’s political status means it is not a party to UNCLOS or its arbitration mechanisms, limiting its ability to respond to China’s actions.
Taiwan’s defence and security agencies are aware of the situation and are conducting a comprehensive review of the patterns and risks associated with the Chinese activity.
Analysts have noted that Taiwan’s response is limited due to its political status and lack of maritime strength to challenge China’s actions.
William Yang, a senior north-east Asia analyst with the International Crisis Group, suggests that Taiwan needs to clarify which agency is responsible for addressing these challenges and establish a set of diplomatic and law enforcement responses, including increased support for coastguard patrols.
Yang also emphasized the importance of Taiwan making a strong connection between Chinese grey zone activities to encourage other countries to incorporate the challenges Taiwan is facing into their potential collective regional responses.
The situation has drawn attention from other countries in the region, with Japan protesting against similar activity by Chinese oil rigs inside its EEZ last month.
Vietnam and Korea have also made similar complaints in the past. The dispute highlights the complexities of managing Exclusive Economic Zones, particularly in regions with overlapping claims and territorial disputes.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Taiwan and the international community will respond to China’s actions and work towards resolving the dispute.