Record number of Chinese ships around Taiwan

 

TT-AFP

 

Publihed 08.13

            

A ship from the Chinese coast guard off the Taiwanese island of Kinman, photographed from a boat belonging to the Taiwanese coast guard. Archive photo from last year. Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard/AP/TT

Coast guard, research vessels and other boats. The number of Chinese ships around Taiwan was at a record high in July.

For years, Beijing has been increasing its military presence in the waters around Taiwan, which the government sees as part of China's territory and has threatened to annex. In July, 244 Chinese ships were counted around the main island, an average of eight a day, according to data reviewed by AFP.

In June, 55 Chinese ships were registered around Taiwan and in May 30. In the first three weeks of August, 152 ships have been sighted.

Taiwan has been de facto self-governing since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Beijing repeatedly threatens to retake the island by military means.