Chinese oil rigs in waters claimed by Taiwan have stirred controversy in recent days, drawing a sharp protest from Taipei, with some analysts saying the structures are part of a strategy to normalize encroachment.

Why It Matters

First reported by The Guardian , the structures are situated in Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an EEZ extends 200 nautical miles (230 miles) from a coast, within which claiming governments are entitled to exclusive access to resources.

China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 international tribuna l ruling largely dismissing its case. Those claims overlap with those of several other governments in the region.

Beijing also claims Taiwan itself and has

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