00:00Taiwan's Coast Guard is adding another 600-ton patrol vessel to its fleet, the Donggang.
00:05In times of peace, it can be used for law enforcement, like tackling illegal fishing
00:09or smuggling boats.
00:10But if hostilities break out, it can be equipped with machine guns and missiles and join the
00:14fight.
00:15It's the 12th Anping-class vessel, under construction since October 2024.
00:20Ocean Affairs Council Minister Guan Biling talked up the new vessel's potential and
00:24how other ships of its class have made a difference at sea.
00:46The Donggang has a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles, with a top speed of more
00:50than 40 knots.
00:51That will help it push back against China's increasing gray zone incursions, hostile actions
00:56that fall short of outright conflict.
00:58That includes illegal Chinese fishing boats in Taiwan's waters, or Chinese-owned ships
01:02cutting undersea cables between Taiwan's main island and outlying islands.
01:06In 2025 alone, Taiwan responded to nearly 2,000 maritime incursions, and some reports have
01:11recorded a 500% increase in daily incursions by China's Coast Guard between 2020 and 2025.
01:17This is the final planned Anping-class vessel.
01:20They're in use by Coast Guard units all around the country, from disputed islands in the South
01:23China Sea to participating in maritime drills alongside the Navy.
01:27As China's gray zone incursions continue, ships like this one, agile and flexible, will
01:33only become more vital in ensuring that Taiwan can continue to defend itself, no matter what
01:37form the threat takes.
01:38Scott Huang, John Su, and Larry Siano, in Kaohsiung for Taiwan Plus.
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