Chinese militia ships are rumored to be sighted off the eastern coast of Taiwan. The US State Department approves: Beijing is undermining stability.

As China continues to intrude on Taiwan’s gray zone, it is reported that the CCP’s maritime militia ships appeared in the waters east of Taiwan for the first time in August. The U.S. State Department responded to a reporter from Central News Agency today that Washington continues to be concerned about China's actions in the area east of Taiwan. China's actions are highly destabilizing and urges Beijing to stop exerting pressure on Taiwan.

According to a surveillance report reviewed by Reuters, a Chinese maritime militia ship and two other vessels were spotted off Taiwan's Pacific coast in August, marking the first time such vessels have been spotted in this sensitive area.

According to Reuters, a report by Apex Aviation identified "Minfudingyu 07902" as a fishing vessel that also functions as a Chinese militia ship. The ship was discovered in mid-August sailing with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and a scientific research vessel.

In this regard, a spokesperson of the US State Department responded to reporters' inquiries in a background manner and stated that the United States continues to be concerned about China's actions in the area east of Taiwan, and China's actions are highly destabilizing.

The spokesperson pointed out that Taiwan has peacefully administered the relevant waters for more than 70 years. China's assertion of jurisdiction over these waters will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the peaceful resolution of various issues that China claims to pursue.

The spokesman added: "We urge Beijing to stop exerting pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected authorities."

Taiwan's Coast Guard said earlier that it uses joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance methods to monitor the movements of Chinese ships in waters surrounding Taiwan around the clock. The relevant Chinese ship activities are all located outside restricted waters, and the Coast Guard has full control of the process and responds appropriately.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense responded by stating that the CCP, in the name of law enforcement and scientific research, packages intrusive acts in an attempt to expand the scope of its activities in a non-conflict situation and create the illusion of substantive jurisdiction. This not only seriously undermines the international order, but also challenges Taiwan's maritime law enforcement rights. The Ministry of National Defense will coordinate with the Coast Guard to respond appropriately.