Taiwan has strongly rejected China's decision to impose traffic control measures on vessels travelling through the Taiwan Strait during Typhoon Dolphin, accusing Beijing of attempting to assert authority over international waters.

The dispute emerged after Chinese maritime authorities announced restrictions for ships passing through the southern entrance of the Taiwan Strait as the typhoon approached. Taiwan's government said China had no authority to regulate shipping in the international waterway.

The development adds another layer of tension to an already sensitive maritime dispute between Beijing and Taipei, with the Taiwan Strait serving as one of the world's major commercial shipping routes.

China Announces Shipping Controls

Chinese state media reported that vessels travelling north through the southern entrance of the Taiwan Strait would be required to follow traffic control measures from Thursday night because of the approaching typhoon.

Chinese authorities said the restrictions were intended to protect vessels and ensure maritime safety as weather conditions deteriorated.

Ships were instructed to follow directions from maritime management officials, move to safer waters when required and comply with other safety measures.

Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of China and has repeatedly asserted its authority over the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan and the United States, however, reject China's broader claims over the waterway.

Taiwan Calls Move ‘Ridiculous’

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council criticised the Chinese announcement late Friday, arguing that Beijing was interfering in matters beyond its jurisdiction.

"The unreasonable and crude statement by the relevant Chinese Communist departments reflects an ignorance, disregard, and trampling of international order and norms. It is utterly ridiculous!" the council said in a statement.

The council also said Taiwan's affairs did not require intervention from Chinese authorities.

The comments reflect Taipei's longstanding position that Beijing does not have the right to unilaterally impose restrictions on international shipping passing through the Taiwan Strait.

Coast Guard Issues Warning

Taiwan's Coast Guard issued a separate statement, saying it had not detected any abnormal movements by Chinese vessels in the area.

It also said no shipping companies had reported incidents involving interference with maritime broadcasts.

However, the Coast Guard advised merchant and cargo vessels travelling through the Taiwan Strait to ignore any broadcast instructions issued by Chinese authorities and report such incidents immediately.

Taiwan said it would take necessary measures to protect the safety and freedom of navigation in the area.

The warning could create uncertainty for commercial operators if vessels receive conflicting instructions from authorities on either side of the Taiwan Strait.

Typhoon Dolphin Approaches

The immediate backdrop to the dispute is Typhoon Dolphin, which is forecast to pass north of Taiwan before reaching China's eastern coast late Saturday or early Sunday.

The storm has prompted authorities to issue maritime safety measures as vessels prepare for potentially difficult weather conditions.

China's announcement was presented as a safety measure linked to the approaching typhoon. Taiwan, however, has focused on the jurisdictional implications of Beijing issuing instructions to vessels travelling through the strategic waterway.

Strategic Importance of Taiwan Strait

The Taiwan Strait is a crucial maritime corridor connecting the East and South China Seas and carries a significant volume of global commercial traffic.

The waterway is also strategically important because of its proximity to Taiwan and mainland China. Beijing's military conducts regular operations around the Taiwan Strait, while Taiwan maintains its own maritime and military presence.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and maintains that the island's future can only be determined by its people.

The latest dispute over shipping controls therefore comes at a time when maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait remain closely watched by regional governments, shipping companies and international partners.

Maritime Safety vs Sovereignty

While the immediate Chinese restrictions have been linked to Typhoon Dolphin and maritime safety, Taiwan's response shows how quickly operational measures in the Taiwan Strait can become politically sensitive.

For commercial vessels, the priority remains safe navigation during the storm. But the competing instructions from Beijing and Taipei underline the broader dispute over who has the authority to regulate traffic through one of Asia's most strategically important waterways.

As Typhoon Dolphin approaches China's coast, attention will now remain on weather-related disruptions as well as any further developments involving Chinese and Taiwanese maritime authorities.