Chinese Ships Enter Restricted Waters Around Disputed Island in South China Sea

Chinese vessels for the first time entered restricted waters around Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island, Taiwan said.

A view of Taiwan-controlled Taiping island in the South China Sea on Nov. 29, 2016. Sam Yeh /AFP/Getty Images

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Two Chinese ships intruded into the restricted waters of a Taiwan-controlled island in the South China Sea on June 11, Taiwan said.

Taiwan’s coast guard called the incursions into waters near Taiping Island another example of China’s gray-zone harassment, emphasizing that it was the first such incident in the area, according to a press release issued on Thursday. It criticized Beijing for a “malicious escalation” against the island.