TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Coast Guard Administration chased four Chinese coast guard ships out of restricted waters near Kinmen on Thursday.

The Coast Guard noticed the Chinese ships joining forces south of Kinmen around 12 p.m. Thursday and it sent patrol vessels to monitor their movements, per CNA. The four ships entered restricted waters at 2:52 p.m. and failed to stop when faced with Taiwan’s Coast Guard vessels.

The ships moved up close in front of the Chinese vessels to bar their way, while using wireless to broadcast orders in Mandarin and English to leave. The Chinese finally turned around and left the restricted waters at 4:17 p.m.

In a statement Friday, the Coast Guard condemned China for escalating its grey zone tactics and for disrupting regional peace and stability with its provocative actions.