Taiwan Today
Date: July 13, 2016
President Tsai Ing-wen attended the send-off of Republic of China (Taiwan) navy Kangding-
President Tsai Ing-wen addresses the crew of ROC navy Kangding-class frigate Dihua July 13 in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan. (Courtesy of Military News Agency)
class frigate Dihua July 13 in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City, having ordered its departure 24 hours early on a patrol of the South China Sea following the award rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“This ship represents the ROC, and the uniforms of the crew members symbolize the responsibility entrusted by the citizens to defend the rights of the nation,” Tsai said while addressing the crew onboard the ship. “Because of the new changes in the South China Sea, this patrol has taken on great significance.”
According to the president, the award in the South China Sea arbitration initiated by the Philippines is a serious infringement on the rights of the ROC over the South China Sea islands and their surrounding waters. [FULL STORY]