The stepped up intensity of Chinese naval patrols near Taiwan since August is putting a "heavy burden" on the island's aging frigate fleet, which is struggling to maintain combat readiness, the Taiwanese defence ministry said on Tuesday.
China, which claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, carried out war games near the island in August responding to a Taipei visit by U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi, and has maintained an increased military presence since then.
