Taiwan to donate patrol ship to the Philippines

Taiwan's Coast Guard is to donate a patrol vessel to the Philippines, apparently aiming to deepen cooperation in dealing with China.

Sources say the Coast Guard has decided to give a retired 500-ton-class vessel to the Southeast Asian country. Taiwan does not have diplomatic relations with the Philippines.

It is said to be the first time for Taiwan to provide such a vessel to the Philippines. Taiwan has provided vessels to some countries with which it has diplomatic ties, including the Marshall Islands and Palau.

The Coast Guard commented that Taiwan will continue to expand cooperation and exchanges in marine research and humanitarian assistance.

The decision comes as Chinese Coast Guard vessels and research ships are stepping up activities in waters around Taiwan.

The Philippines and China have overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea. Ships from the two countries have clashed in the waters.

The decision to donate the patrol vessel is believed to be an attempt to team up with the Philippines to respond to China, which is applying pressure with so-called "gray zone" operations that do not amount to armed attacks.