Taiwan sends ships to patrol areas in the South China Sea

China responded that the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is invalid, China does not recognize and does not accept it.

Chinese ships in the East Sea. Photo: Sputnik

Taiwanese authorities also said they do not accept the Hague court's ruling and do not consider it legally binding. The "Lafayette" class destroyer Di Hua set sail from the Tszoin military base in the southwest of the island.

"Just yesterday, the situation in the South China Sea changed again, now is the time to show our determination to protect the country's interests," - Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen declared in a speech on board the ship before it set sail.

"The destroyer's mission this time is especially important" in the context of the court's recent ruling, she said. Taiwanese ships have previously patrolled the disputed area.

According to Sputnik