Five Chinese Guard Ships Enter Taiwan Frontline Islands

Sudan Events – Agencies 

Amid a continued rise in tensions with Beijing, a Taiwan minister said on Tuesday that Five Chinese coast guard ships entered prohibited or restricted waters around Taiwan’s frontline islands of Kinmen on Monday but left shortly after being warned away.
Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory despite the island’s rejection, has been wary of efforts by Beijing to ramp up pressure on Taipei following last month’s election of Lai Ching-te as president. Beijing considers Lai a separatist.
Taiwan has a large military garrison on Kinmen, the scene of frequent fighting during the height of the Cold War, but Taiwan’s coast guard patrols its waters.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said last week it is not bolstering its forces on the islands close to China, which include the Matsu archipelago up the coast from Kinmen.
Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, also speaking at parliament, said he hoped what was happening around Kinmen would not escalate and would be “smoothly handled.”
Six Chinese coast guard officers last week boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat carrying 11 crew and 23 passengers to check its route plan, certificate and crew licenses, leaving about half an hour later, Taiwan’s coast guard said.
China recognizes no sovereignty claims by Taiwan, and has accused Taiwan of acting “maliciously” by causing the deaths of the two Chinese nationals on the fishing boat, which had gotten too close to one of Kinmen’s heavily fortified islets.