MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen went aboard the frigate ahead of its departure to urge the crew to "defend Taiwan’s territory," the South China Morning Post reported.
The permanent arbitration court in the Hague ruled Tuesday on a case brought by the Philippines, saying China had no legal right to claim large swathes of area in the South China Sea. Both China and Taiwan rejected this decision.
Taiwan’s national news agency CNA said the national government has tasked the defense ministry with thinking of steps in the wake of the Hague court’s judgment. According to the outlet, the ministry said it would continue patrolling the sea.