Focus Taiwan
Date: 08/04/2020
By: Chen Yun-yu and Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, Aug. 4 (CNA) The Navy on Tuesday held a launch ceremony for Taiwan's first domestically-built rapid mine-laying ship as well as a keel-laying ceremony for the second of four minelayers that are part of the government's indigenous ship-building project.

The event indicates the expansion of the military's swift underwater mine-laying and joint defense capabilities, the Navy said in a statement.

The minelayer project was developed based on enemy threat and combat needs after integrating the military's mine-laying combat plans, the Navy said. It will make it easier to prevent enemy vessels from sailing near Taiwan, the statement said.

Navy Admiral Liu Chih-pin (劉志斌) and Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. Chairman Huang Shou-chen (黃守真) jointly hosted the event at Lung Teh shipyard in Yilan County.
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