TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) attended the handover of the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) frigate the Yunlin in Kaohsiung City on Saturday (June 15).
The 4,000-ton ship formed part of a 10-year program to build 141 vessels up to 2027. The project to build the ships inside Taiwan showed the world the country was serious about its determination to protect democracy and freedom, Lai said.
The president thanked the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) for guarding the nation’s waters and protecting its security, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI). Even though pressure on the CGA from a strong regional power was growing by the day, it was a team of heroes who would not disappoint the public, he said.
The Yunlin is the third of four 4,000-ton frigates to be built by the CSBC Corporation, in Kaohsiung. The ship is equipped with three sets of high-pressure water cannons with a reach of 120 meters, but can also function as a hospital ship in times of emergency.
In addition to the handover of the Yunlin to the CGA, Saturday’s activities in Kaohsiung featured more than 100 sailing boats and wooden ships to mark this year’s National Oceans Day.