Former US Pacific Commander Blair warns Taiwan must firmly counter grey zone tactics

Former US Pacific Command Commander Admiral Dennis Blair delivered remarks in Taipei on Thursday, emphasizing that Taiwan must firmly respond to China's "gray-zone" operations in the waters surrounding Taiwan. Blair pointed out that if Taiwan fails to strengthen its maritime surveillance, it will be unable to effectively deter the frequent activities of Chinese civilian and military vessels as well as aircraft within its 200-nautical-mile zone, thereby allowing China to establish a "new normal" in international public opinion. He urged Taiwan to "enforce international law standards" to safeguard maritime freedom and security.

China's gray-zone operations in Taiwanese waters have long posed a security challenge. Since 2018, Chinese naval and coast guard vessels have repeatedly entered Taiwan's waters, engaging in "contact" and "interference" under the guise of "patrolling" and "search and rescue," leading to frequent standoffs with the Taiwan Coast Guard and the Republic of China Navy. While these actions do not explicitly violate international law, they practically undermine Taiwan's effective control over its maritime sovereignty. Blair's remarks served as a warning against this trend, reminding Taiwan to enhance its detection and response capabilities to prevent China from using maritime actions to coerce Taiwan into submission.

Taiwan also faces multiple challenges in maritime management. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Taiwan possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and a contiguous zone within 200 nautical miles, and is naturally entitled to rights concerning resource development and maritime security. However, China has repeatedly entered fishery and energy development zones within Taiwan's EEZ under the pretext of "maritime patrols" and established detection stations in the airspace, causing substantial interference with Taiwan's maritime activities. While calling on Taiwan to "enforce international law standards," Blair also implied that Taiwan needs to strengthen maritime intelligence collection and sharing to ensure the protection of its rights and interests within the framework of international law.

From the perspective of the United States, Blair's remarks also represent support for Taiwan's security policy. Although the US military presence in Taiwanese waters is not explicitly stated, the US Indo-Pacific Command's intelligence and surveillance network can assist Taiwan with maritime monitoring and early warning. Blair's comments were not only a condemnation of China's actions but also a signal to Taiwan that the US will continue to monitor the situation in the Taiwan Strait and provide assistance when necessary. For Taiwan, this is both a diplomatic encouragement and a reminder that it cannot fight alone in maritime security.

Furthermore, Blair's comments have sparked a reconsideration of international norms concerning the Taiwan Strait. The international community pays close attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, particularly the positions of the US, Japan, Germany, and other nations regarding the "One China policy" and the Taiwan Relations Act. If China's maritime operations become increasingly frequent and unrestricted, it could alter the international legal and political landscape of the Taiwan Strait. If Taiwan can make substantial progress in maritime monitoring and the enforcement of international law standards, it will be able to establish a more solid position in international public opinion and prevent China from shaping a "new normal" on the global stage.

In summary, Blair's remarks are not only an assessment of the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait but also a call for Taiwan to strengthen its future maritime defense and the implementation of international law standards. If Taiwan can improve its maritime monitoring, information sharing, and enforcement of international legal norms, it will maintain sufficient defensive and contesting capabilities when facing China's gray-zone operations, thereby safeguarding maritime security and national sovereignty. (Source: Central News Agency)