TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A Chinese coast guard ship switched off its automatic identification system before entering restricted waters near Dongsha on Friday.

Dongsha is a disputed coral island in the South China Sea administered as part of Kaohsiung. Since January, nine Chinese coast guard vessels have entered the restricted waters near the island on 30 occasions, per CNA.

In the latest incident, the Coast Guard Administration located China’s No. 3102 coast guard ship 42 kilometers southwest of Dongsha at 6:40 a.m. Friday. The Coast Guard immediately dispatched its Tainan patrol ship to track and chase the Chinese vessel out of the restricted waters.

The absence of the automatic identification system contravenes international law and shipping practice, while also increasing the risk of accidents. The system automatically broadcasts the ship’s position, course, speed, and identity to other ships.

The administration said it protested the Chinese coast guard’s actions. The intrusion also damaged regional peace and stability, according to administration officials. They called on China to end its disruptive behavior.