Afghanistan, July 4 -- China said on Saturday that it had launched a new coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, a move that drew condemnation from Taipei and added to rising tensions over Beijing's maritime claims around the self-governed island.
The China Coast Guard said a task group led by the Xiushan vessel had replaced a previous group led by the Daishan vessel and would continue what Beijing described as routine "law-enforcement patrols" in waters east of Taiwan. It said the operations were intended to protect China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and the safety of fishing and navigation activities.
Taiwan rejected the patrol, saying China has no jurisdiction or law-enforcement authority in waters east of the island. Taiwan's...