Taipei: Taiwan’s naval goodwill fleet has concluded port calls in St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and is now en route to Belize, as reported by Taiwan’s embassies in the three nations.
According to Focus Taiwan, the fleet, officially known as the 2026 Midshipmen and Cruising Training Squadron (MCTS) of the Republic of China (ROC) Navy, first arrived in St. Lucia on April 12 for a three-day visit.
During the visit to St. Lucia, two of the three vessels in the MCTS fleet, the fast combat support ship Panshi (AOE-532) and the Kang Ding-class guided-missile frigate Di Hua (PFG-1206), were opened to the public, attracting approximately 2,000 visitors. The Cheng Kung-class guided-missile frigate Yueh Fei (PFG-1106) was not opened to the public, and no explanation was provided by the embassy.
Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste, alongside other Cabinet members and government officials, welcomed the fleet, consisting of more than 800 officers and crew members, at a ceremony on April 13. Baptiste emphasized the significance of the visit for promoting peace and stability.
After concluding its visit to St. Lucia on April 14, the fleet proceeded to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where it was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock. The fleet is now headed to Belize, with a formal welcoming ceremony scheduled for April 22. This visit marks the first time in 13 years the MCTS has visited Belize.
The fleet began its annual training voyage from Taiwan in late February, with stops typically including Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Caribbean and Latin America. The fleet’s full itinerary is not publicized for security reasons, but prior to visiting St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the fleet made a port call in St. Kitts and Nevis.
St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti are the four Caribbean nations that formally recognize the ROC. Belize and Guatemala are the two Central American countries that maintain formal recognition. The fleet’s mission aims to foster Taiwan’s diplomatic relations, showcase military capabilities, and engage with overseas Taiwanese communities.