China and Taiwan [Reuters=Yonhap News File Photo]

The U.S. State Department expressed concern on the 24th (local time) regarding China's repeated deployment of government vessels to waters east of Taiwan under the pretext of conducting marine environmental surveys, labeling the actions as a threat to regional stability.

A State Department spokesperson told Reuters that "China's actions are deeply destabilizing to the region."

The spokesperson further stated, "We reject any claim that China has the authority to interfere with the freedom of navigation and overflight, the laying of (subsea) cables, or other lawful uses of the sea."

China has recently been expanding its influence by repeatedly mobilizing coast guard ships and survey vessels in waters east of Taiwan, citing submarine surveying and marine environmental research as justifications.

Taiwan views these actions as an attempt by Beijing to strengthen its jurisdictional claims over the waters under the guise of scientific research, leading to ongoing maritime tensions as Taiwan works to block the entry of Chinese vessels.

On the same day, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany also issued a joint expression of concern regarding China's activities in the waters east of Taiwan.

According to reports from Taiwan's Liberty Times and other sources, the British Office in Taipei—which serves as the de facto UK embassy—along with the German Institute Taipei and the French Office in Taipei, issued a joint statement noting that they "are monitoring recent new activities by China in the waters east of Taiwan," and pointed out that "such activities threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation, and the safety of international maritime transport."