Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou on Saturday unveiled two new ships that will join the patrol in waters off disputed islands in the East China Sea at the centre of a regional territorial row.
"We will gradually build up our capabilities in the sea to enforce the law, to conduct rescue missions and protect fishermen," Ma said before boarding a new ship to inspect a drill off the Kaohsiung port in the south.
Taiwan will not "concede one step" in upholding its sovereignty claim over the islands, Ma said, while urging all sides involved to seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
The contested islands, in an area where the seabed is believed to harbour valuable mineral reserves, are claimed as the Senkakus by Japan and the Diaoyus by China. The Japanese-controlled islands are also claimed by Taiwan.
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