Taipei, Nov. 3 -- Taiwan has accused the China Coast Guard of harassing ships off its eastern coast and attempting to assert what it described as fictional jurisdiction over the surrounding waters, as Beijing continues to increase its maritime patrols around the island, according to a report by Taipei Times.

The report said Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) had dispatched vessels, including the Ji An, to monitor Chinese coast guard activity in the area. The Chinese patrols reportedly included the vessels Hushi (CCG 1308) and Meishan (CCG 2303).

According to the CGA, China has stepped up its presence off Taiwan's east coast since June, conducting regular coast guard patrols. Taiwanese officials have expressed concern that the act...