Taiwan has accused Beijing of increasing tensions after Chinese coastguard and survey vessels conducted operations in waters off the island's east coast. China described the action as necessary.

Taiwan has accused Beijing of escalating tensions after mainland Chinese coastguard and survey vessels carried out law-enforcement operations in waters off the island’s east coast. Over the weekend, mainland China’s transport ministry announced a “special maritime traffic law enforcement operation” and dispatched a flotilla of coastguard vessels into the waters east of Taiwan. That included the coastguard’s largest patrol vessel. Chinese state media said the operation was a “necessary action” to...