Taiwan says it drove away 16 Chinese vessels

Taiwan's coast guard said it drove away 16 Chinese coast guard, research and fishing vessels on Sunday during coordinated operations around Taiwan's main island and Pratas, which Taipei described as maritime harassment.

The Taiwanese coast guard said an unusually large number of Chinese vessels, including four fishing boats, operated at the same time off Taiwan's eastern, southern and southwestern coastlines and around Pratas. It said some entered Taiwan's restricted waters.

Taiwan's coast guard said its vessels took “forceful action” to neutralise the threats. It accused China of trying to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and create a false impression of jurisdiction.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and asserts jurisdiction over waters around the island, positions Taipei rejects. Taiwan controls Pratas, also known as Dongsha, in the northern South China Sea, while Beijing also claims the island.

Taiwanese official data cited by AFP show China deployed a record 244 coast guard, research and other ships around Taiwan's main island in July, compared with 55 in June and 30 in May. The figures do not include Chinese warships, which China's military deploys around Taiwan on a near-daily basis.