Taiwan Commissions New Coast Guard Ship Designed for Peace, Wartime Operations

TaiwanPlus News

Taiwan’s Coast Guard has strengthened its fleet with the official commissioning of the "Taipei" and the christening of the "Siraya." President Lai Ching-te is also advocating for enhanced legislation to further bolster Taiwan’s maritime defense capabilities.

Transcript

00:00A new milestone for Taiwan's Coast Guard.

00:06This is the Taipei, Taiwan's fourth domestically-made 4,000-ton patrol ship,

00:12and it's now formally entered service.

00:14It is the power of the power of the power of my country.

00:18It is the power of the power of the海 and the power of the international recovery

00:23and the power of the international recovery.

00:24Equipped with a helipad and a medical center,

00:30as well as three water cannons and advanced remote-controlled weapons system,

00:34the Taipei will be used in patrol and emergency rescue missions.

00:39President Lai Qingde also officially named Taiwan's first high-latitude ocean patrol ship,

00:45the Xilaya, and called for bipartisan support to amend the seven undersea cable laws.

00:54It comes as China steps up gray zone threats against Taiwan,

01:07with a surge in undersea cable sabotage over the past three years.

01:12Analysts say the Coast Guard can play a bigger role,

01:15but it needs stronger legal powers to effectively push back against Chinese maritime pressure.

01:20Taiwan's legislature is reviewing three bills aimed at protecting undersea infrastructure,

01:42covering electricity, natural gas, and water systems.

01:45The hope is these legal changes, together with more funding for domestically-made ships,

01:51will help Taiwan push back against rising Chinese maritime activity.

01:56Hank Xie and Ellen Liu for Taiwan Plus.

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