A Chinese survey ship spent the day probing waters off southern Taiwan before being tracked and warned off — a routine but telling sign of steady pressure on Taipei.

• The Chinese ocean research vessel "Xiang Yang Hong 3" appeared southwest of Kaohsiung port around midday, well outside Taiwan's restricted waters.
• A Taiwanese coast guard patrol boat shadowed it the whole way and warned it by radio to stay out of Taiwanese waters.
• The ship never entered restricted waters and never put survey gear in the water, sailing southeast past the southern tip of the island.
• Taiwan's coast guard says it will keep using joint surveillance to track Chinese vessels and pre-position patrol boats.

Outlook: These grey-zone probes near Taiwan are likely to continue, keeping the coast guard on near-permanent watch without crossing into open confrontation.