TAIPEI, July 4 -- The ships changed. The message did not. Beijing rotated its coast guard formation east of Taiwan on Saturday, replacing one task group with another to continue what Chinese officials now describe as standing law-enforcement patrols in waters Taipei insists lie beyond China's lawful reach.

China Coast Guard spokesperson Jiang Lue confirmed that the vessel formation led by CCGS Xiushan had taken over from the CCGS Daishan group, which had operated in the area since June. The Daishan group conducted patrols, vessel verification, fishery protection, and rescue operations during its time in the waters, Xinhua reported. The Xiushan group would "continue to strengthen law-enforcement patrols in waters under China's jurisdictio...