ANKARA 

Taiwan on Tuesday said its coast guards expelled four Chinese coast guard ships from waters around Taipei-controlled Kinmen islands, saying the incident was “intended to provoke.”

At approximately 5 a.m. (2100GMT, Tuesday), the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) detected Chinese coast guard ships gathering near Kinmen. They entered from the north of Beiding Island and south of Fuxing Islet, Taiwan’s official Central News Agency reported.

Three CGA patrol boats intercepted and dispatched warnings to the “intruding” Chinese vessels, and after about two hours, they were expelled from the area.

Taipei said that the intrusion into Taiwanese waters was intended to provoke.

Such actions do not contribute to maintaining the sentiments between the people of Kinmen and Xiamen, nor do they benefit exchanges across the strait, it added.

The CGA urged China to recognize the importance of regional peace and stability and reiterated its commitment to firmly safeguard Taiwan’s maritime rights.

On June 1, according to the Taiwanese authorities, two Chinese coast guard ships were chased away after being detected approaching Kinmen from Xiamen.

The incident coincided with a US delegation's visit to the Island, which China considers its "breakaway province."

The delegation from the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission that met with President William Lai Ching-te in Taipei Tuesday pledged to support Taiwan as it faces "a more aggressive China."

Meanwhile, Taiwanese Defense Ministry said it detected 17 Chinese aircraft and 8 naval vessels operating around the island nation on Tuesday.