A Taiwan Coast Guard patrol vessel, right, is seen sailing near a China Coast Guard ship in waters south of Kinmen, in Kinmen, Taiwan, July 8. AFP-Yonhap
TAIPEI — China has signaled its intent to maintain a new coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, analysts say, as Beijing dials up pressure on the self-ruled island that it claims is part of its territory.
Tensions over Western Pacific waters off Taiwan spiked after the Chinese coast guard and other ships launched their first "law enforcement operation" in that area in June.
During the operation, the China Coast Guard for the first time radioed cargo ships passing Taiwan for information about their crew and destination.
Chinese state media said the operation was in response to talks between Japan and the Philippines to draw a boundary in those waters.
