China's coastal patrols near Taiwan are viewed as a provocative and aggressive move.

Chinese naval vessels have intensified their presence off the coast of Taiwan, prompting concern from Taipei authorities.

China's stance on Taiwan remains unchanged, firmly rejecting any assertion of Taiwanese self-governance.

Defence Minister Wellington Koo described Chinese Coast Guard patrols near Taiwan as a provocative move, emphasizing that the military would work closely with Taiwan's Coast Guard to respond effectively.

China's stance on Taiwan is rooted in its conviction that the island nation is an integral part of its territory. The recent announcement by Japan and the Philippines to initiate formal talks on demarcating their maritime borders has sparked Chinese ire, as they perceive this move as encroaching on waters adjacent to Taiwan. This process involves formally defining a state's territorial extent.

Chinese state media reported late on Saturday that vessels had been dispatched for a special maritime enforcement operation in waters east of Taiwan, following announcements from Japan and the Philippines.

The Taiwanese Coast Guard dispatched its vessels to deter the Chinese naval presence, successfully escorting them out of designated waters by Sunday.

Koo described the coastal patrols as an overtly aggressive gesture, also likening them to psychological manipulation.

China's assertive actions in the eastern waters near Taiwan are akin to spreading a vast net of control, encroaching on Taiwan's territorial rights and sparking concerns about national sovereignty.

Taiwan's status remains a contentious issue, with Beijing's stance on the matter unchanged over time. The Chinese government has consistently rejected any notion of Taiwanese independence.

Chinese state media released footage on Monday showing an officer cautioning the Taiwan Coast Guard to be mindful of their words, emphasizing that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to a single entity.

Early on Monday morning, four Chinese vessels departed Taiwanese territorial waters, steering towards the eastern horizon according to Taiwan's Coast Guard.

The military will continue to share intelligence closely and continuously with the Coast Guard in their operations.

Taiwanese officials are sounding alarm bells as tensions escalate. Kuan Bi-ling, head of the Ocean Affairs Council, pointed to a disturbing trend in Chinese actions since early May, specifically a series of escalating provocations that have lasted for a full month.

Operations are also taking place in the vicinity of the Pratas Islands, which are under Taiwanese control, located at the northernmost tip of the South China Sea.

Kuan emphasized that the ocean should be a tranquil expanse, rather than a source of tension and hostility.

The Taiwanese Navy typically confines itself to tracking and alerting Chinese naval vessels, whereas its Coast Guard assumes primary responsibility for surveilling Chinese Coast Guard ships in peacetime scenarios.

Taiwanese waters are frequently patrolled by Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels daily now.

The Liaoning, a Chinese aircraft carrier, has been conducting an extended operation in the Western Pacific, prompting Taiwan's attention to its movements. Currently, this vessel is navigating waters east of the Philippines.

Taiwan remains a contentious issue, with China maintaining it will take any necessary measures to unify the island under its rule. The Taiwanese administration firmly disputes Beijing's assertion of authority over their territory.