The China Coast Guard conducted “law enforcement patrols” in waters near the Taiwanese-held Kinmen Islands on Sunday, Chinese officials said, amid rising tensions in the area following a deadly incident earlier this month.

“During the patrol, the coast guard vessels adopted measures such as verbal warnings to strengthen law enforcement, effectively maintained order in the relevant sea areas, and earnestly safeguarded the safety of fishermen's lives and property,” the China Coast Guard said in a statement.

On Feb. 14, a Chinese speedboat carrying four people capsized near the Kinmen Islands while being pursued by a Taiwan Coast Guard vessel, throwing all aboard the Chinese boat into the water and leaving two dead.

Taiwanese authorities on Thursday revealed more details of the incident, saying that the speedboat had "lost its balance” during the chase out of “restricted waters” too close to the Kinmen Islands, just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Chinese city of Xiamen.

China had accused the Taiwan Coast Guard of "seeking to evade their responsibilities and hide the truth" about the capsizing, announcing last week that its coast guard would begin “regular patrols” in the waters.

The incident comes amid fears that China could seek to use “gray zone” maneuvering to take one of the small islands in the Taiwan Strait between the mainland and Taiwan.

Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province that must be united with the mainland — by force if necessary. This policy has triggered concerns of a possible invasion by China despite hints by U.S. President Joe Biden that Washington would help Taiwan militarily in the event of a conflict.

The latest move comes in the wake of Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te’s electoral victory last month. Beijing views Lai as a “dangerous separatist” and officials in Taiwan have said they expect Beijing to heap pressure on the president-elect ahead of his May 20 inauguration.

The Chinese military regularly sends warplanes and naval ships near Taiwan-controlled islands in what analysts believe are attempts to both degrade and test its military.