Taiwan minister says island must control its own maritime data

Kuan said Taiwan faces challenges including what she called the threat of grey-zone harassment, referring to Chinese activities that stop short of outright combat but are designed to pressure and wear out Taiwan's forces. She said the Coast Guard needs more equipment and more comprehensive intelligence to spot threats earlier and respond more effectively. "We maintain that Taiwan's ocean must be surveyed by ourselves, and that we must master our own information," she said.

China said on Saturday it had sent another Coast Guard patrol into waters off Taiwan's east coast. Taiwan has reported several incidents this year of Chinese research ships sailing near the island, and China's military operates around Taiwan on an almost daily basis.

Taiwan's government says China has no jurisdiction over any of its waters and is in breach of international law by trying to prove otherwise with its patrols. Taiwan also says China has been harassing merchant shipping with radio messages in waters not under Chinese jurisdiction. China, which recognises no sovereignty claims by Taiwan, has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control but says it would prefer "peaceful reunification".