India, July 4 -- China has launched a new Coast Guard patrol east of Taiwan, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait despite growing concern from several Western countries. Beijing said the patrols are aimed at carrying out "law enforcement" operations and safeguarding what it describes as its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in waters under its jurisdiction.

Taiwan's Coast Guard said it is closely monitoring the Chinese vessels and has deployed its own ships to shadow them. According to Taiwanese authorities, the Chinese ships were operating about 54 nautical miles east of Hualien, remaining outside Taiwan's restricted waters. Taipei reiterated that it does not recognise China's jurisdiction over its waters and warned ...