The China Coast Guard continued its routine law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan Island on Friday to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, a spokesman said in a statement.

Jiang Lue, a spokesman for the China Coast Guard, said that the operations were led by Xiushan vessel formation, adding that such patrols in those waters have been continuously strengthened since the beginning of July, to effectively guarantee the normal navigation and working order, as well as protecting the legitimate rights, interests and the safety of life and property of Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan.

He said that the China Coast Guard will continue to intensify the law enforcement patrols in waters under China's jurisdiction and resolutely maintain national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.