Flexing its maritime muscle, Taiwan's navy plans to make its first circumnavigation voyage later this year to display its long-range sea power. Starting in March and concluding in June, three Taiwanese naval vessels in 101 days will pay port visits to seven countries that recognize Taiwan. The squadron will also refuel in countries without formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The circumnavigation voyage is bound to perturb mainland China's government, which views Taiwan as a rogue province eventually to be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary. Taiwan has formal relations with only 26 nations, with the United States maintaining a "one-China" policy.
The squadron will set sail in mid-March and sail through Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, around South Africa into the Atlantic Ocean and then through the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. Following transiting the canal, the vessels will traverse the Pacific, returning to Taiwan on June 19. The ships consist of a French-made Lafayette frigate, a Cheng Kung Perry-class frigate and a support vessel. Scheduled port visits will be made in Senegal, Gambia, St. Vincent, Panama, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Palau. The voyage may be timed coincide with a visit by President Chen Shui-bian's to Pacific allies in May, allowing Chen to stay aboard one of the ships. A Chinese navy destroyer and supply ship made China's first circumnavigation of the globe in 2002. | Of course, they'd never even consider meeting up with a US task force in mid-ocean and conducting a exercise or two. |
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