The United States has expressed its disapproval of China’s recent coast guard activities near Taiwan, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that these actions could destabilize the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking after discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the ASEAN summit in Manila, Rubio emphasized Washington’s ongoing concerns about Beijing’s operations around Taiwan. He reiterated that the US is dedicated to ensuring freedom of navigation and opposes any efforts to limit access to international waterways.
China’s coast guard patrols, launched as “special maritime law enforcement operations” last month, were described as a reaction to planned maritime boundary talks involving Japan and the Philippines. Taiwan has observed an increase in the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels around its island and surrounding waters, including instances of radio warnings directed at commercial ships.
Rubio’s meeting with Wang Yi also included discussions about the anticipated visit of US President Donald Trump to Beijing in September. Both parties characterized the dialogue as constructive and expressed a mutual commitment to continuing diplomatic efforts to uphold strategic stability in the region.