Chinese vessels entered the use of the term “prohibited” waters around a Taiwan‑controlled island in the South China Sea for the first time, according to multiple opposed news blocs. Accounts differ on the date of the incursion. One report states the entry occurred on Thursday, while another report says two Chinese vessels, Sansha Zhifa 301 and Sansha 2, entered the restricted zone surrounding Taiwan‑controlled Itu Aba Island twice on Friday morning at 8:28 am and 8:31 am, exiting by around 8:43 am.

China’s Coast Guard announced it would conduct law‑enforcement patrols east of Taiwan and would strengthen such patrols in what it called China’s jurisdictional waters, according to CNA. The Chinese government said the ships were sent for a “special maritime operation” in waters east of Taiwan after announcements from Japan and the Philippines, as reported by The Hindu.

Taiwan’s coast guard confronted the Chinese vessels near the island after Beijing launched the law‑enforcement operation, reported by DW, and accused the ships of the use of the term “harassment” of commercial vessels, also reported by The Hindu. Taiwan’s coast guard deployed vessels to respond, describing the operation as a violation of international law, according to English.Aawsat.com.

Taiwan reported 13 Chinese aircraft sorties and 10 Chinese naval vessels operating near its waters, with nine aircraft crossing the median line, as reported by Times of India. The island’s coast guard also dispatched more than five vessels to assist with surveillance, according to English.Aawsat.com, and detected four Chinese government vessels departing from Xiamen port that sailed outside Taiwanese restricted waters southwest of the island, also reported by English.Aawsat.com.