China Operates Drilling Rigs in Taiwan Economic Zone

China was reported to be operating at least 12 vessels and structures for oil and gas drilling within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone, challenging Taiwan’s defenses and encroaching into its territory.

The Jamestown Foundation, a think tank based in Washington, DC, reported that state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation was carrying out these operations in the northern portion of the South China Sea near the Pratas Islands. Some of its structures have been in place for years.

The drilling rigs include a few that are large and have platforms that can be put to other uses, including support for “a full range of coercion, blockade, bombardment and/or invasion scenarios” against Pratas or Taiwan.

This is consistent with China’s frequent application of “greyzone” tactics which fall short of war but gradually move the Overton window. China is chipping away Taiwan’s territorial area and control.

Taiwan is not in a position to push back against such tactics. Its disputed status keeps it from belonging to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This leaves Taiwan unable to demand normal mechanisms such as arbitration.

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