China says it is ‘safeguarding order’ around Taiwan-controlled South China Sea atoll

BEIJING, Oct 21 (Reuters) China s government said on Wednesday that its coast guard was safeguarding order around a tiny and strategically located Taiwan-controlled atoll at the top end of the South China Sea where Taipei fears Beijing is ​trying to enforce jurisdiction. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own ‌territory, said last week that Taiwan must bear the consequences of its coast guard using a water cannon against a Chinese fishing boat near the Pratas Islands. Taiwan has reported two incidents since Sunday of Chinese coast guard vessels approaching the Pratas, accusing Beijing of provocative behaviour. Speaking at a regular news briefing, a ‌spokesperson ​for China s Taiwan Affairs Office said Beijing has indisputable sovereignty ⁠over the South China Sea islands, ⁠including the Pratas and their adjacent waters. Mainland coast guard vessels conducting law enforcement patrols in the relevant waters are fulfilling their duties in accordance with the