Taipei, July 22 -- Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in the presence of Chinese coast guard and research vessels around the island, prompting authorities to prepare drills simulating possible Chinese escalations off Taiwan's Pacific coast, Taipei Times reported.

According to Taipei Times, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) recorded 55 Chinese government vessel sightings in June, including coast guard and research ships, compared with 30 sightings in May and 25 during the same period last year. The figures exclude vessels operating near Taiwan-controlled islands close to the Chinese mainland.

The increase, reported by Taipei Times, highlights Beijing's growing use of its coast guard to reinforce its territorial claims over Taiw...