Taiwan's coast guard has accused China of harassment following an incident where a Chinese vessel entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. The Taiwanese coast guard reported that its vessel confronted the Chinese ship and demanded it leave.
According to Taiwan's coast guard, the two vessels came within just one nautical mile (1.9 kilometers) of each other during the encounter on Saturday. Taiwan's coast guard urged Beijing to "immediately cease these pointless acts of harassment," noting that this was the 13th intrusion of this nature near the Pratas Islands this year, involving 16 vessels.
China, which claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its coast guard patrols in recent months, particularly in waters east of Taiwan. Beijing asserts that the waters it patrols fall under its jurisdiction.
Also on Saturday, China's coast guard announced it had dispatched vessels for a "routine law enforcement patrol" in waters east of Taiwan. The China Coast Guard stated it would continue to intensify its patrols "firmly upholding the nation’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."
In June, France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement expressing concern over Chinese activities east of Taiwan, warning that they endangered regional stability.