China gradually expands its maritime jurisdiction east of Taiwan

For the first time, civilian vessels of the China Maritime Safety Administration passed through the strategic Bashi Strait and began exploring and mapping the seabed east of Taiwan. According to international analysts, Beijing is using a tactic of so-called "salami slicing," where control over territories is expanded in small steps that do not lead to open military conflict.

These actions occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing, during which Chinese President Xi Jinping once again emphasized that the Taiwan issue remains the main problem in relations between the two countries.

Ray Powell, director of the SeaLight project at Stanford University, believes that the departure of Chinese vessels beyond the so-called First Island Chain marks an important stage in the expansion of China's influence. In his opinion, Beijing seeks to create new facts on the ground and present the waters east of Taiwan as an area under its jurisdiction.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated that the true purpose of these actions is territorial expansion and an attempt to create the impression that China possesses sovereign rights over the island.

Carl Schuster, former head of the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center, noted that the use of civilian vessels instead of military ones allows Beijing to gradually consolidate its presence without direct use of force.

In addition to political significance, seabed exploration also has a military purpose. The information obtained can improve the capabilities of Chinese submarines operating in the region and help detect underwater communication cables.

Experts also do not rule out that the next step could be the stopping or inspection of civilian vessels heading to Taiwan. This poses a particular danger to liquefied natural gas supplies, as the island is highly dependent on imported energy resources.

China's actions have already drawn criticism from the United States and European countries. The U.S. State Department called them destabilizing, and the United Kingdom, France, and Germany issued a joint statement expressing concern about possible threats to the freedom of international navigation.

In parallel, Beijing is increasing its presence in the South China Sea, including near the Scarborough Shoal, which lies within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. The appearance of Chinese research platforms there provoked a protest from Manila. Philippine Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro stated that he does not trust Beijing's claims about the purely scientific nature of the mission, recalling that China has previously transformed similar reefs into military bases.

Amid rising tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced the transfer of four maritime unmanned aerial vehicles to the Philippines, totaling $13 million. They are intended for surveillance and protection of the country's territorial waters.

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