Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration reported mainland Chinese law enforcement vessels entered restricted waters near Taiping Island on Thursday, a first for government vessels. The ships were driven away by Taiwan's coastguard. Experts suggest this is Beijing's attempt to assert sovereignty.
Chinese experts suggest Beijing might respond to deepening Japan-Philippines defense cooperation with military operations, enhanced electronic warfare, or trade sanctions. A think tank report described the pact as a "quasi-military alliance" that could restrict Chinese naval access to the western Pacific.
Taiwan's coastguard monitored two Chinese vessels spotted near Orchid Island, approximately 51-52 nautical miles offshore. The report also touches on boundary talks between Japan and the Philippines regarding exclusive economic zones.
Ambrey, a UK maritime security firm, reported that resumed Ukrainian attacks on tankers transporting Russian hydrocarbons within Turkey's exclusive economic zone jeopardize international navigation in the Black Sea, with threats assessed as elevated through the summer.
Malaysia considers replacement offers for its delayed littoral combat ships, prioritizing a system compatible with already constructed ships to avoid costly redesigns.
Shinjiro Koizumi said that the impact point is outside the exclusive economic zone of Japan
