Thu, Jul 30, 2026 page2

• AIT signals support with coast guard post

  • Staff writer, with CNA
  • • Add TT as Preferred Source
    • 
    • 
    • 

  A social media post by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) showing US and Taiwanese coast guard vessels sailing in formation indicates that Washington views Taipei as an important partner, several academics said on Tuesday.

  A Facebook post by the de facto US embassy in Taiwan shows the Taipei, a 4,000-tonne Chiayi-class offshore patrol vessel, and the USCGC Midgett, a 4,500-tonne Legend-class cutter, sailing in formation in an undated photo.

  “As typhoon season is upon us, the United States Coast Guard and the Taiwan Coast Guard are busy coordinating on shared maritime objectives,” such as preserving maritime resources, countering illegal fishing and interdicting illegal drug shipments, the post said.

  

  US and Taiwanese coast guard vessels sail together in an undated image.

  Photo courtesy of Coast Guard Administration via CNA

  “The United States appreciates Taiwan’s partnership in maritime security and safety, and supports Taiwan’s meaningful contributions on global issues including maritime law enforcement exchange and international cooperation,” the post said.

  US foreign policy expert Bonnie Glaser said that the post conveys a message from Washington that “Taiwan is an important partner, that Taiwan contributes positively to regional security, and that the United States is committed to working alongside Taiwan to promote shared objectives.”

  The message was also intended for others, particularly China and the people of Taiwan, she added.

  “It seeks to reassure Taiwan and its people that they are not alone and that their contributions to regional peace and maritime safety are valued,” she said. “To China, the message is that attempts to isolate and bully Taiwan will not succeed. And to other regional countries, the US is signaling that they could also benefit from working more closely with Taiwan’s Coast Guard.”

  Chen Wen-chia (陳文甲), a national defense strategy expert and vice president of Kainan University, said that the post also reflected increasing “paramilitary cooperation” between the two countries, offering greater flexibility and facilitating the sharing of intelligence despite the lack of official military ties.

  Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said on Tuesday in a Facebook post that the US demonstrated “its determination to maintain peace and security in the Western Pacific.”

  “It also shows that the US fully recognizes the Taiwan Coast Guard as the sole law enforcement agency in Taiwan’s waters,” she said in the post.

  The AIT delivered its message as China continues to conduct a series of “special maritime law enforcement operations” in the Strait that began last month after Japan and the Philippines began talks on maritime boundary delimitation in the area.

  The Chinese coast guard and other official vessels have operated in the Strait and around Taiwan-controlled islands in the South China Sea in recent weeks, the Coast Guard Administration said.

  They have also broadcast radio messages instructing passing merchant ships to leave the area.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    First tax refunds to be deposited on Friday

  • 2

    Notes from Central Taiwan: Institutionalizing Taiwan’s tourism failure

  • 3

    AIT hails joint coast guard operations

  • 4

    PLA building more Taiwan mock-ups

  • 5

    Premier approves Yilan HSR project