Taiwan says it drives away 16 Chinese vessels over ‘maritime harassment’

China has intensified its maritime pressure on Taiwan in recent months, deploying record numbers of coast guard, research and other vessels around the island. (EPA Images pic) TAIPEI: Taiwan said on Sunday it had driven away 16 Chinese coast guard, research and fishing vessels involved in simultaneous "maritime harassment" operations.

An "unusually large" number of Chinese vessels took part in the coordinated operations around Taiwan's main island and Pratas, a disputed island to the southwest, the Taiwanese coast guard said in a statement.

Beijing claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex the island.

China has intensified its maritime pressure on Taiwan in recent months, deploying record numbers of coast guard, research and other vessels around the island.

Sunday's operation comes after Taiwan's coast guard used water cannons against a Chinese recreational fishing vessel near Pratas, in the northern part of the South China Sea, on Oct 1, which sparked an angry response from China.

Taiwan controls Pratas, also known as Dongsha, but Beijing also claims the island along with most of the strategic waterway.