Chinese ship leaves after tense standoff near Taiwan-controlled islands

Synopsis A Chinese coast guard ship departed waters near Taiwan’s Pratas Islands on Sunday after a tense verbal confrontation with Taiwan’s Coast Guard over sovereignty. Taiwan’s vessel broadcast messages urging the Chinese ship to return and strive for democracy. This incident follows increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan. A Chinese coast guard ship left waters near Taiwan’s strategically located Pratas Islands at the top of the South China Sea on Sunday following a tense standoff and verbal sparring between the coast guards, Taiwan’s Coast ?Guard said. China claims ?democratically ?governed Taiwan as its own territory, a position the government in…