China intensified pressure on Taiwan with a record mobilization of ships in waters near the island. According to data from the Taiwanese Coast Guard, 244 Chinese vessels were detected in the region in July, an average of about eight ships per day — the highest ever recorded. The volume represents a sharp increase compared to the 55 ships identified in June and the 30 in May. In the first 21 days of August, another 152 vessels were detected.
About 60% of the ships identified in July belonged to the Chinese Coast Guard. The rest were research or government-linked vessels. The numbers do not include Chinese warships, which operate almost daily in the vicinity of Taiwan.
The Taiwanese Coast Guard states that the increase in the presence of Chinese ships represents an attempt by Beijing to exert military and political pressure on the island. The operations include normalized patrols and naval exercises in the waters around Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.
