Military

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

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By Hank Hsu/Alan Lu

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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.

Taiwan Coast Guard Commissions New Ships, Seeks Stronger Laws

 

REPORTER:  

Taiwan’s Coast Guard is adding new ships to its fleet. In a ceremony in the south, one vessel was officially commissioned as the “Taipei,” while another was christened “Siraya.” Taiwan’s president is also pushing for stronger laws to go along with the new ships, all aimed at boosting the coast guard’s capabilities.

 

A new milestone for Taiwan’s Coast Guard.

 

This is the Taipei, Taiwan’s fourth domestically made 4,000-ton patrol ship, and it’s now formally entered service.

 

This marks an upgrade in Taiwan’s ability to build its own vessels and also a major step forward in our capacity for maritime law-enforcement and international humanitarian rescue operations, reaching a new milestone on our path to the top.

 

Equipped with a helipad and a medical center, as well as three water cannons and advanced remote-control weapon system, the Taipei will be used in patrol and emergency rescue missions.

 

President Lai Ching-te also officially named Taiwan’s first high-latitude ocean-patrol ship “the Siraya,” and called for bipartisan support to amend the seven undersea cable laws.

 

REPORTER:  

To ensure our undersea cables and other critical infrastructure have a more comprehensive protection system, I hope legislators across party lines will support amendments to the seven undersea cable laws.

 

It comes as China steps up gray-zone threats against Taiwan with a surge in undersea cable sabotage over the past three years.

 

Analysts say the coast guard can play a bigger role, but it needs stronger legal powers to effectively push back against Chinese maritime pressure.

 

Gray-zone activities are actually very hard to deter. First, they're hard to catch. Second, they're difficult to punish. Any punishment has to be legally justified.

 

Taiwan’s legislature is reviewing three bills aimed at protecting undersea infrastructure, covering electricity, natural gas, and water systems.

 

The hope is these legal changes, together with more funding for domestically made ships, will help Taiwan push back against rising Chinese maritime activity.