TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Fishers encountered a Chinese naval vessel patrolling in the middle of the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday. 

At around 4 p.m., Penghu fishermen operating in the Taiwan Strait median line waters saw a Chinese naval ship nearby, per Liberty Times. Based on a photograph taken by one of the fishermen, it appears to be the Chinese frigate Wenzhou (hull number 526).

The vessel later turned westward, distancing itself from Penghu. The fishermen were relieved that it did not continue toward Penghu, but they did not see any Taiwanese naval or coast guard vessels monitoring it.

The Wenzhou is the second ship built out from the People's Liberation Army Navy's Type 054 missile frigates. It can operate independently or in coordination with other naval forces to attack surface ships and submarines, boasting strong long-range early warning and air defense capabilities. 

The Wenzhou was built in the Huangpu Shipyard, launched in November 2003, and commissioned on Sept. 26, 2005. It is currently in service with the East Sea Fleet's 3rd Destroyer Flotilla.

Taiwan's military said that coastal radar systems had been monitoring the movement and course of the Chinese naval vessel, which cruised along the median line and did not enter Penghu’s territorial waters. The vessel's movements were tracked using radar surveillance systems, while the Coast Guard's patrol cutter Lienchiang and a Navy Cheng Kung-class guided-missile frigate patrolled nearby and were ready to provide support if needed.