TAIWAN/AT SEA: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou presides over the commissioning of a coast guard vessel, set to patrol disputed islands in the East China Sea

Record ID: 862601

  • Title: TAIWAN/AT SEA: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou presides over the commissioning of a coast guard vessel, set to patrol disputed islands in the East China Sea
  • Date: 30th March 2013
  • Summary: RADAR AND TAIWAN NATIONAL FLAG ON TOP OF VESSEL
  • Embargoed: 14th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: At Sea, Taiwan, Province of China
  • City:
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Topics: Conflict,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAAFKW71AL5C0DA4S1FKL59RUOZ
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Taiwan commissioned a new vessel on Saturday (March 30) to join the Coast Guard Administration's fleet in patrolling waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea.
    Disputes over a series of uninhabited rocky islands known as the Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyu in China and Diaoyutai in Taiwan, have intensified over the past six months.
    Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou presided over the commissioning ceremony of the 2,000-tonne vessel, Hsin Bei, which is equipped with 40-mm cannons.
    Ma reiterated Taiwan's East China Sea Peace Initiative, which urges all parties to shelve their disputes and share resources through joint development.
    However, he warned that Taiwan would not give up its claim to the islands.

    "Our commissioning today is not a military show-off, but to let everyone understand that the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will carry out law enforcement, rescue and fishery protection operations at sea, and strengthen our law enforcement and rescue abilities at sea. On the issues of National sovereignty, we will not yield any step," said Ma.
    The commissioning ceremony was followed by a drill at sea, including tactical formations, water cannon, and helicopter rescue drills.
    China, Japan and Taiwan all have rival claims to the uninhabited islands, its surrounding fishing areas and potentially rich gas deposits.
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