Taipei says China's traffic control order for Taiwan Strait during typhoon is 'ridiculous'
Taiwan has criticized China's attempt to impose traffic control measures in the Taiwan Strait during Typhoon Dolphin. Taipei asserts that Beijing has no authority to restrict navigation in these international waters.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions regarding sovereignty claims over the Taiwan Strait and the freedom of navigation in international shipping lanes.
China’s attempt to implement traffic control measures on shipping heading into the Taiwan Strait during Typhoon Dolphin is “ridiculous”, Taipei said, adding that Beijing has no right to restrict access to international waters.
China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, also claims the strategic strait through which billions of dollars of trade flow every year — a claim both Taipei and Washington reject.
On Wednesday (August 5), Chinese state media said that due to the approach of the typhoon, starting from Thursday (August 6) night, ships heading north through the southern entrance of the Taiwan Strait must heed traffic control measures.
All vessels must comply with requirements, choose safe waters to shelter from the storm, and follow the instructions of on-site maritime management authorities to ensure safety at sea, it said.
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