TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of National Defense on Friday disapproved of an opposition proposal for the Ocean Affairs Council to have the right to declare restricted waters near outlying islands. 

The move would give the wrong signal to the world, indicating Taiwan is willing to make concessions on its sovereignty, the military said. The amendment was proposed by KMT Legislator Chen Yeong-kang (陳永康), a retired admiral, per CNA.

At present, the Ministry of National Defense holds the right to determine which waters near Kinmen and Matsu are restricted or completely off-limits. China has amended its laws to claim there are no restricted waters in the area.  

Repeated military maneuvers by China are designed to damage cross-strait peace and the reality of Taiwan’s sovereignty, the ministry said. As the opposition proposal would give the wrong message about Taiwan’s stance to the international community, the military said it could not support it.

On average, there were four incidents per month last year of Chinese coast guard ships entering restricted waters near Kinmen. The ships often stayed for about two hours before turning back. Beijing described the actions as “regular law enforcement patrols,” but Taiwan condemns them as a form of harassment.