Taiwan and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding on setting up a Coast Guard Working Group. With the working group, the two sides will be able to discuss, review, prioritize, and coordinate efforts focused on improving communications, building cooperation, and sharing information.
Taiwan’s Representative to the US, Hsiao Bi-khim, and American Institute in Taiwan Managing Director Ingrid Larson signed the memorandum on Thursday.
The establishment of the working group comes at a time of increased regional pressure from China’s coast guard. Under a recently passed Chinese law, Chinese coast guard vessels can now use weapons against foreign ships in waters China considers as its own.
On Friday, Premier Su Tseng-chang said that Taiwan and like-minded nations such as the US will continue to maintain peace and stability in the surrounding region. He also called on China to stop ratcheting up regional tensions.