China Declares Law Enforcement in Eastern Waters; DPP: Taiwan Is Not the Provocateur in Cross-Strait Relations

(Central News Agency, reporter Wang Yang-yu, Taipei, June 8) China's Ministry of Transport has announced it will conduct a 'special maritime traffic law enforcement operation' in waters east of Taiwan. Chuang Jui-hsiung, Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus in the Legislative Yuan, said today that Taiwan has never been the provocateur in cross-strait tensions. He called for cross-party support for the government and coast guard personnel to enforce the law strongly and enhance national defense capabilities, as China frequently pressures Taiwan.

Speaking at a DPP caucus press conference on public opinion response, Chuang stated that even before Japan and the Philippines began negotiations, China had been constantly harassing Taiwan's waters and pressuring Taiwan. He emphasized that China is the biggest source of threat to Taiwan and cannot represent Taiwan. He urged all political parties to support the government and coast guard in strong law enforcement to maintain national security against China's incursions.

Chuang noted that China's continuous pressure on Taiwan is precisely why the Ministry of National Defense spent two years assessing the military's needs and proposed a special national defense regulation draft to enhance Taiwan's asymmetric warfare capabilities. He warned that if the legislature does not support the enhancement of national defense capabilities, it would send a message of weakness to the international community. He reiterated that Taiwan has never been the provocateur in cross-strait tensions and believes in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Regarding the start of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) negotiations between Japan and the Philippines, Chuang said the Taiwanese government is closely monitoring the situation and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should engage in stronger negotiations. On overlapping maritime disputes, he stated that according to international practice, the appropriate approach is to shelve disputes and pursue joint development and resource sharing.

When asked by the media about former U.S. National Security Council Senior Director for Technology and National Security David Feith's call for Taiwan to significantly increase defense spending, and his criticism that some voices within the Kuomintang refusing to fund asymmetric capabilities are worse than disappointing and even provocative, Chuang responded.

Chuang said that during the Legislative Yuan's review of the special national defense regulation draft, parts concerning Taiwan-U.S. cooperation, drones, and localized defense production were deleted, with only U.S. procurement items ultimately passed. He expressed regret, stating that those who truly care about Taiwan would consider defense autonomy and localized production, and that the U.S. was also willing to cooperate with Taiwan, but these elements were removed. (Editor: Xie Jiazhen) 1150608