Taipei:Taiwanese patrol boats on Saturday detained a Chinese fishing vessel and its crew near the Matsu islands, the Coast Guard Administration announced.

The Chinese ship did not respond to orders to halt and was seized and held along with its three crew members who were transferred to be investigated, according to the statement.

Taiwan has launched an operation to protect the fishing resources around the islands of Matsu and Kinmen, located 19 km from the Chinese mainland, Efe news reported.

In recent weeks, Chinese military ships and airplanes have stepped up patrols in international waters near Taiwan. 
IANS