Taiwan demands that China end its military activity in nearby waters

Taiwan's military has detected Chinese ships since Monday, both off Taiwan and farther out along the first-island chain; Taiwanese media had said as many as 90 Chinese vessels are involved overall

Taiwan demanded Wednesday that China end its ongoing military activity in nearby waters, which it said is unilaterally undermining peace and stability and disrupting international shipping and trade.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website that it was responding in part to the activities of a "large number" of Chinese ships in the first-island chain, the Pacific archipelago off the Asian continental mainland that includes Japan, Taiwan and part of the Philippines.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly demands that the Beijing authorities immediately stop military intimidation and all irrational activities that endanger regional peace and stability," the statement said.