Taiwan has commissioned a new vessel to join the Coast Guard Administration's fleet in patrolling waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea.<br/> <br />Disputes over a series of uninhabited rocky islands known as the Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyu in China and Diaoyutai in Taiwan, have intensified over the past six months.<br/> <br />Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou presided over the commissioning ceremony of the 2,000-tonne vessel, Hsin Bei, which is equipped with 40-mm cannons.<br/> <br />The commissioning ceremony was followed by a drill at sea, including tactical formations, water cannon, and helicopter rescue drills.<br/> <br />China, Japan and Taiwan all have rival claims to the uninhabited islands, as well as their surrounding fishing areas and potentially rich gas deposits.
