The Chinese mainland's maritime authorities conducted their first emergency search-and-rescue drill in the waters of the Taiwan Shoal on December 6. The exercise aimed to strengthen maritime emergency response capabilities in the southern Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan region's coast guard authorities described the drill as "harassment" and a form of "cognitive warfare", accusing the Chinese mainland of blurring maritime boundaries under the guise of law enforcement. They warned that such actions undermine cross-strait ties and regional stability.
In response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, firmly rejected these accusations. He stated that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to China and that the mainland has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the entire strait. Routine maritime safety supervision is carried out in accordance with the law to ensure safe navigation, maintain order and improve maritime transport efficiency.
Chen also criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for promoting "Taiwan independence" narratives, warning that such actions undermine peace and stability in the strait and will ultimately "bring consequences upon themselves."
The drill comes as the U.S. Congress released the National Defense Authorization Act text this week, authorizing up to $1 billion in military assistance to the Taiwan region for fiscal year 2026. The bill calls for a joint unmanned-systems development program with the region by March 2026 and expanded integrated training between U.S. forces and the region's coast guard.
Chen voiced strong opposition to any form of military contact between foreign countries and the Taiwan region, calling the bill a violation of the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués. He said it constitutes serious interference in China's internal affairs and sends a dangerous signal to separatist forces, urging the United States to honor its commitments on the Taiwan question and stop "arming Taiwan."
"Attempts by the DPP to seek independence by relying on the U.S.," he warned, "will only lead to harm now and to an inevitable dead end."
Reference(s):
Mainland rejects Taiwan's objections after 1st search-and-rescue drill
cgtn.com
