Taiwan's second Anping-class patrol boat Chengkung, delivered to the country's Coast Guard Administration on June 25, 2021. © Taiwan Coast Guard
Newsweek: U.S. and Taiwan Coast Guards to Hold First Joint Drills At Sea: Report
Taiwan denied taking part in drills with the United States Coast Guard on Tuesday but said it "does not rule out" possible cooperation, after vessel-tracking data showed a fleet of ships sailing into the Pacific in what reports said were rehearsals for an upcoming joint exercise.
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei, confirmed on Wednesday the first meeting had taken place of the U.S.-Taiwan Coast Guard Working Group (CGWG)—a pact agreed back in March as a way to increase maritime cooperation between the two countries.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the dialogue took place virtually, and that regular meetings would be held in the future.
Neither commented on reports about a first-ever joint exercise at sea, which the Liberty Times of Taipei said had been scheduled for the "near future."
It is unclear whether they would be linked to the ongoing INDOPACOM-led "Large Scale Global Exercise 21," which will last through to August 27.
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Update: Coast guard denies it held joint drill with US (Taipei Times)
WNU Editor: China denounced the original agreement to conduct these exercises five months ago .... China denounces US-Taiwan coast guard cooperation agreement (AP).
