China deploys record number of ships around Taiwan as pressure grows

China deployed a record number of ships around Taiwan last month, Taiwan’s coast guard told AFP, as Beijing ramps up pressure on Taipei. The number of Chinese coast guard, scientific research and other vessels detected near Taiwan’s main island jumped to 244 in July—about eight per day on average—up from 55 in June and 30 in May. In the first 21 days of August, 152 vessels were detected. Around 60% were coast guard ships, with the remainder including research and other government boats; the figures exclude warships, which China deploys nearly daily. Analysts say activity may help map the region for submarine warfare, while concerns grow over possible quarantine or blockade scenarios.