Taiwan Donates Decommissioned Coast Guard Ship to Philippines to Boost Regional Security

The Taiwan Coast Guard decommissioned the Jincheng, a patrol and rescue vessel that had been in service for several decades, in early this month. The vessel was donated to the Philippine Coast Guard through a Philippine non-profit foundation. Originally deployed in the waters around Kinmen for patrolling, search and rescue, and maritime surveillance, the ship was retired due to its aging hull and rising maintenance costs, prompting Taiwan to seek a suitable recipient. The donation process was coordinated between the Executive Yuan and the Coast Guard, with the foundation serving as an intermediary to ensure a smooth transfer to the Philippines and to avoid potential controversies arising from international law or cross-strait relations.

The Philippine Coast Guard is currently facing maritime disputes with mainland China in the South and East China Seas and urgently needs to enhance its patrolling and search and rescue capabilities. Although not the latest model, the vessel is equipped with relatively advanced radar and communication systems, providing basic maritime surveillance and rescue support. The donor stated that this move not only helps the Philippines improve maritime security but also aligns with Taiwan’s “non-military diplomacy” strategy in promoting regional security. The Philippines has committed that the vessel will be used exclusively for patrolling and rescue operations permitted under international law and will not be employed in military actions against Taiwan’s waters.

Zhuo Rong-tai, Premier of the Executive Yuan, explicitly stated in a media interview that a written agreement has been signed between the two parties. The agreement stipulates that the Jincheng is prohibited from conducting any patrols in waters related to Taiwan and from enforcing laws against Taiwanese fishermen. Guan Bi-ling, Chairman of the Coast Guard Commission, further explained that the agreement explicitly bans the vessel from enforcing laws within Taiwan’s fishing zones or engaging in any actions that might affect Taiwanese fishermen. These provisions were established primarily to prevent cross-strait maritime friction caused by the improper use of the ship and to ensure that the maritime safety of Taiwanese fishermen remains unaffected.

This donation holds multiple implications for Taiwan’s maritime security and cross-strait relations. First, from a security perspective, transferring the aging vessel to a neighboring country reduces the burden on the Taiwan Coast Guard to maintain maritime surveillance and avoids the risks associated with maintaining an old ship. Second, from a diplomatic perspective, the move demonstrates Taiwan’s flexibility in non-military diplomacy, deepening maritime cooperation with the Philippines through donation and further expanding its influence in Southeast Asia. Finally, for Taiwanese fishermen, the explicit prohibition on law enforcement activities in the agreement reduces uncertainties arising from changes in maritime patrol vessels, thereby maintaining the stability of fishing operations.

Within the broader framework of regional security, cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines is viewed as a crucial component in countering mainland China’s territorial claims in the South and East China Seas. Although the Jincheng is no longer state-of-the-art equipment, it can still provide the Philippines with basic maritime surveillance and rescue functions and assist in enforcing international legal norms when necessary. Through such non-military aid, Taiwan has demonstrated a strategy of contributing to regional security without directly engaging in military conflict. In the future, if Taiwan possesses other vessels available for transfer, it may adopt a similar approach to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries, shaping an image of a “peaceful guardian” on the international stage. (Source: Central News Agency)