# A Chinese fishing boat identified as part of the country’s maritime militia has been spotted off Taiwan’s east coast for the first time, according to a surveillance report reviewed by Reuters. The vessel was operating alongside a Chinese coast guard boat and a research ship near Hualien in August. Taiwan says the boats were involved in what it describes as maritime harassment drills. Beijing has not commented. Taiwan considers its east coast important for potential wartime supply routes and says China has increased coast guard activity in the area since June.
Chinese militia boat spotted off Taiwan’s east coast for first time