The Ministry of Natural Resources said on Thursday that it organized a marine environmental survey in waters under China's jurisdiction east of the country's Taiwan Island to gain a comprehensive understanding of ecological conditions in the area.

According to the ministry, the survey was carried out from June 16 to 18 by the research vessel Xiangyanghong 22, operated by the East China Sea Bureau.

The ministry said the mission aimed to collect data on the marine environment and natural resources in waters under China's jurisdiction, providing scientific support for marine ecological protection, resource management and future development planning.

According to Yuyuan Tantian, a China Media Group affiliated social media account, the survey reflects China's efforts to further integrate marine governance into its broader natural resources management framework.

Experts cited by the account said previous research activities in the waters east of Taiwan Island were often conducted as project-specific investigations designed to address particular scientific questions. By contrast, the latest mission forms part of a regular survey program, indicating a move towards more systematic and long-term monitoring.

China has already accumulated extensive data on the area's hydrology, meteorology, topography and marine ecosystems. The latest survey expanded data collection to include environmental DNA in seawater, as well as information on seabirds, cetaceans and marine chemistry.

According to Yuyuan Tantian, China also carried out dedicated surveys of seabirds and whales and dolphins in the area for the first time during the mission. Experts said this marks a shift from broad baseline assessments toward more detailed studies of specific species and habitats.

The collected data will support research on ecosystem health, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, while also providing a scientific basis for future marine spatial planning and resource management.

Experts cited by Yuyuan Tantian said such surveys could help inform future development plans covering areas including marine industries, offshore energy exploration, marine biotechnology and ecological conservation.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for managing the country's natural resources. Experts said regular surveys are an important means of understanding resource conditions and supporting the coordinated development and protection of marine areas.

According to Yuyuan Tantian, China is further exercising and consolidating its rights in waters east of Taiwan Island in accordance with the legal framework governing exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

The report said that in recent years, China has expanded the ways in which it administers and manages the area, and that the ministry's survey represents an exercise of China's sovereign rights over natural resources.

Citing the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the report said coastal states enjoy sovereign rights in their EEZs for the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of natural resources, as well as jurisdiction over marine scientific research and marine environmental protection.

Waters east of Taiwan Island and its affiliated islands fall within China's EEZ, and activities carried out by China in the area are a lawful exercise of its rights under relevant laws and regulations, said the report.

The report further stated that sovereign rights related to the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of natural resources are exclusive in nature, and noted that marine scientific research activities conducted by other countries in the area would require China's approval.

According to Yuyuan Tantian, some external forces attempted to interfere with the survey operations during the mission. Experts cited by the report said the People's Liberation Army Navy and the China Coast Guard provided support to ensure the survey proceeded safely and smoothly, while relevant government agencies coordinated their efforts.

The report said the China Coast Guard is responsible for law enforcement, while the Ministry of Natural Resources oversees resource management and ecological protection. Through coordinated efforts, the area east of Taiwan Island is being incorporated into a framework of regular and systematic management.

Looking ahead, the report said China will continue to deepen this governance model, aiming to ensure that activities in the waters east of Taiwan Island are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations, while supporting marine rights protection and high-quality marine development.