Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/03/22
By: Wen Kui-hsiang and Elizabeth Hsu 

Koror, Palau, March 22 (CNA) Taiwan and its Pacific ally, Palau, signed an agreement on Friday to cooperate in sea patrols and under this new pact, they will launch a joint rescue drill on the seas close to Palau this weekend.

The accord was signed by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and Palau Vice President Raynold Oilouch in the presence of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and her Palau counterpart Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. at a state banquet for Tsai.

Tsai is in the island nation on the first leg of a visit to three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific region.

Under the new pact, Taiwan’s 1,800-tonne Hsun Hu No. 7 patrol frigate will participate in a joint marine patrol exercise with Palau’s vessels on Saturday, said Coast Guard Administration (CGA) Director-General Chen Guo-en (陳國恩), a member of Tsai’s entourage.  [FULL  STORY]