Taiwan, Chinese coast guard vessels in standoff near Dongsha Island

Kaohsiung, May 24 (CNA) Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has been engaged in a standoff since early Saturday with a Chinese coast guard vessel found entering waters near the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Island in the disputed South China Sea.

The 5,500-ton Chinese patrol vessel CCG-3501 was spotted operating outside restricted waters near Dongsha Island (東沙島) at around 7:25 a.m. Saturday and heading toward the island, according to the CGA's Dongsha-Nansha Branch, the CGA said in a news release.

In response, the CGA dispatched the 1,000-ton patrol vessel Taichung (CG-1002) to monitor the Chinese ship and intercept it if necessary.

At around 8:34 a.m., the Taichung approached the Chinese vessel after it entered Dongsha's restricted waters, which extend from 12 to 24 nautical miles offshore, the CGA said.

The two vessels later exchanged radio warnings in both Chinese and English, each ordering the other to leave the area. The Chinese vessel claimed jurisdiction over the island, while the Taiwanese side rejected the claim.

The standoff was continuing as of Sunday morning, according to the CGA.

The CGA said the latest incident marked the sixth time a Chinese coast guard vessel had entered waters near Dongsha Island.

It accused China of showing "blatant disregard for international law" through such incursions, adding that Chinese research vessels have also entered Taiwan's waters to conduct illegal operations in recent days.

Dongsha Island, internationally known as Pratas Island, is a small coral atoll administered by Taiwan, though China claims it as part of its broader South China Sea territory.

It lies about 450 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung and is currently staffed by around 300 CGA personnel.

Dongsha is one of two island groups controlled by Taiwan in the South China Sea. The other is Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, which lies about 1,600 kilometers southwest of Kaohsiung and is staffed by about 200 Coast Guard personnel.