Taipei – A Chinese militia boat was spotted along with two other vessels off Taiwan’s Pacific coast in August, according to a surveillance report reviewed by reporters, the first known sighting of such a craft in the sensitive area. The report by Taiwan’s Apex Aviation identifies the Minfudingyu 07902 as a fishing boat that doubles as a Chinese militia vessel, which was seen operating with a Chinese coast guard cutter and a research vessel one day in mid-August. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up activity off the island’s east coast since June with regular coast guard patrols.
Officials in Taiwan, which rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, say they believe China is practicing for a potential maritime blockade using overlapping military, paramilitary and civilian assets.
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