Taiwan’s coast guard said on Friday that it had warned off and shadowed a Chinese research ship sailing in sensitive waters to the ​island’s west, the third time the vessel has appeared since May ‌in what Taipei sees as ongoing maritime provocation. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and recognises no claims of sovereignty by the government in Taipei, including in the ​waters around the island. Taiwan has complained of regular appearances by Chinese ships, ​including China’s coast guard, in waters near Taiwan as part ⁠of “grey zone” harassment designed to pressure Taipei and give an impression of Chinese ​jurisdiction. The coast guard said that the ship, the Tongji, which was commissioned only ​last year, appeared late Thursday 24.9 nautical miles northwest of the Penghu islands, which lie in the strait and are home to major Taiwanese military bases. The ship was not observed deploying ​or towing any instruments and the coast guard said it sent one ​of its patrol boats to sail alongside the Tongji and broadcast “strong” warnings for it to leave.

Full report : Chinese Research Vessel Draws Taiwan Coast Guard Warning.