Taiwan plans to refurbish and donate a retired coast guard patrol ship to the Philippines, and Taiwan's Coast Guard is reassuring worried fishermen that the deal protects them.

• Taiwan wants to give the decommissioned "Kinmen" patrol ship to the Philippines as part of closer maritime cooperation between the two countries.
• Critics worry the ship could later be turned against Taiwanese fishing boats working in disputed waters near the Philippines.
• The Coast Guard says the written agreement clearly states the ship will never be used to police Taiwanese fishing vessels.
• The deal is framed as boosting rescue capacity in the region, since Philippine crews have helped save Taiwanese fishermen in trouble before.
• The wider aim is to strengthen the Philippines' sea patrol ability as a counterweight to China's coast guard.

Outlook: The transfer is likely to go ahead, with Taiwan and the Philippines deepening maritime ties under their existing fishing agreement.