China’s Grey-Zone Maritime Pressure: Research fleet tests Taiwan

NEW DELHI: Chinese military aircraft and vessels appearing around Taiwan have become a near-daily reminder for the island's military to remain alert to Beijing's next move. But beyond warships and fighter jets, another category of vessels is drawing growing scrutiny: Chinese research ships that operate in waters around the island under the stated purpose of conducting scientific surveys.A Reuters investigation published on October 8 reported the first known sighting of a Chinese maritime militia fishing boat off Taiwan's Pacific coast, operating alongside a coast guard cutter and a research vessel.