Taiwan has sharply criticized Chinese military activity around a disputed South China Sea reef, a sign that friction in the region is getting worse.

• China's military ran what it called a combat readiness patrol in the sea and airspace around Democracy Reef.
• Taiwan's foreign ministry called the flying dangerous and said it interfered with other countries' aircraft.
• Taipei labeled the action unsafe, irresponsible, and highly provocative, and urged Beijing to follow international law.
• Taiwan repeated its opposition to militarization and gray-zone pressure tactics in the South China Sea.
• Taipei says it will keep working with friendly countries to protect free navigation and overflight in the area.

Outlook: More Chinese patrols and more protests from Taiwan and its partners look likely, keeping the South China Sea tense.