Taiwan Navy Squadron’s Historic Visit to Saint Lucia
The arrival of the 2026 Midshipmen Cruising & Training Squadron (MCTS) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, serves as a powerful demonstration of Taiwan’s enduring commitment to Saint Lucia, H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia said on Monday.
Led by Commander RADM Chen Ming-Feng, the visit was organized to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance cooperation, and deepen understanding between the two nations.
The fleet – consisting of the ROC Navy’s fast combat support ship Panshi (AOE-532), Cheng Kung-class guided-missile frigate Yueh Fei (PFG-1106), and Kang Ding-class guided-missile frigate Di Hua (PFG-1206), arrived in Saint Lucia for the first time ever on Sunday, April 12.
A formal welcome ceremony was held the following day at the Pier in Pointe Seraphine. “The last time the squadron (had) a similar exercise in the region was exactly 21 years ago,” H.E. Nicole Su said. “I am very proud that after 21 years, our Navy has once again travelled… more than 12,000 nautical miles, across the Pacific parts, the Panama Canal and come to the Caribbean to visit the beautiful Helen of the West.”
The fleet departed Taiwan in late February for its annual training voyage. The mission typically includes visits to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Caribbean, Latin America, and in the South Pacific.
Its first stop was in the Marshall Islands for a three-day port call from March 10 to 12 before passing through the Panama Canal in early April as it headed to another of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the region.
According to the Ministry of National Defence’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, the goodwill fleet mission is scheduled to last 112 days and includes 840 naval cadets (as noted by ocac.gov.tw).
“For the three naval vessels to literally cross the ocean safely and smoothly for so long, it’s no small task. It requires rigid discipline, precise coordination and exceptional teamwork. In this regard, I’d like to pay special tribute to Commander Chen for his excellent leadership, as well as the professionalism of all our navy officers,” H.E. Su added.
Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, said the importance of the visit cannot be overstated “as it underscores our shared commitment to global stability and the promotion of peace in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.”
“In this regard, as we cooperate under our respective mandates, we enhance our ability to collaborate on some very important aspects of security, such as disaster response and freedom of navigation, if at all it becomes necessary,” the minister noted.
Moreover, he added, “I want to… conclude this brief point by indicating that this engagement signals our collective resolve to uphold international laws and norms ensuring that our seas remain secure and accessible for all nations committed to peace and stability.”
On Monday, members of the public were invited to tour two of the vessels.
The MCTS concluded its three-day visit on Tuesday, April 14.
