Taiwan has commissioned a new vessel 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.
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, as well as their surrounding fishing areas and potentially rich gas deposits.
