US and Taiwan Coast Guards pictured together, signaling commitment to regional security

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) has released the first-ever joint photograph of Taiwanese and U.S. Coast Guard vessels operating side-by-side in waters around Taiwan. The image features Taiwan's 'Taipei' patrol boat alongside the U.S. Coast Guard's 'Midgett' ocean patrol vessel, marking a significant visual representation of bilateral maritime cooperation.

AIT emphasized that the U.S. Coast Guard and the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration are closely coordinating on various shared maritime objectives. These include disaster rescue operations, combating illegal fishing, and intercepting maritime drug smuggling. The institute expressed gratitude for Taiwan's partnership in maritime security and affirmed continued support for Taiwan's substantive contributions to global issues, particularly in maritime law enforcement exchanges and international cooperation.

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The U.S. Coast Guard and the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration are closely coordinating on multiple shared maritime goals, including search and rescue, tropical storm defense, disaster relief, marine resource conservation, combating illegal fishing, and intercepting maritime drug smuggling.

In response, Taiwan's Minister of Maritime Affairs, Kuan Bi-ling, highlighted the depth and breadth of Taiwan-U.S. coast guard cooperation. She noted that the U.S. "truly understands that the Taiwan Coast Guard is the sole law enforcement agency in Taiwan's waters." This collaboration, she stated, is a new initiative demonstrating the U.S.'s resolve to maintain security and peace in the Western Pacific, especially in the context of China's actions.

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We believe this is highly significant, representing a new initiative by the U.S. to demonstrate its resolve to maintain security and peace in the Western Pacific. It fully shows that the U.S. truly understands that the Taiwan Coast Guard is the sole law enforcement agency in Taiwan's waters.

The joint patrol underscores a 2021 memorandum of understanding between Taiwan and the U.S. to establish a Coast Guard Working Group. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in protecting marine resources, combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and conducting joint maritime search and rescue operations. AIT also mentioned that as the typhoon season approaches, the two agencies are coordinating on tropical storm defense and marine resource conservation.

The 'Taipei' vessel is a 4,000-ton patrol and rescue ship, the last of its kind in Taiwan's fleet expansion plan. It is equipped with high-pressure water cannons, a 20mm remote-controlled cannon, and a rocket system. The vessel also features a medical bay comparable to a field hospital, capable of remote medical video consultations during emergencies. The 'Midgett' is a Legend-class cutter, measuring 4,500 tons, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, and equipped with advanced systems including electronic warfare capabilities.

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Taiwan is a reliable partner for the United States in maritime security, from search and rescue, disaster relief, resource conservation, to law enforcement issues such as intercepting maritime drug smuggling. The consolidation of our coast guard cooperation helps maintain and stabilize maritime security and the global international order in the Indo-Pacific.