Minister emphasizes maritime sovereignty
By Fabian Hamacher / Reuters, TAINAN
Taiwan must be the master of its own maritime information and conduct its own ocean surveys given the nation’s fate rests on protecting its waters, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said yesterday.
Taiwan has complained of a stepped-up harassment campaign by China to assert sovereignty and jurisdiction claims over its waters using coast guard and scientific research ships.
Speaking at a sea drone forum in Tainan, Kuan, whose council oversees the Coast Guard Administration (CGA), said Taiwan’s resources, energy and the transport of supplies depend on the ocean.
Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling speaks in Tainan yesterday ahead of the opening of the Taiwan Marine Tech and Unmanned Robotics Expo in the city today. The expo is to run through Thursday.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
“Taiwan also sits on one of the most important shipping routes in the global supply chain. Therefore, protecting these waters concerns not only the daily lives of Taiwan’s people, but also global economic development,” she said.
However, Taiwan faces many challenges, “including the threat of gray zone harassment,” Kuan added, referring to China’s activities, which stop short of outright combat, but are designed to pressure and wear out Taiwan’s forces.
To counter those risks, the CGA needs more equipment and more comprehensive intelligence to spot threats earlier and respond more effectively, she said.
“We maintain that Taiwan’s ocean must be surveyed by ourselves, and that we must master our own information,” she said.
China on Saturday said it had sent another coast guard patrol in waters off Taiwan’s east coast.
Taiwan has reported several incidents this year of Chinese research ships sailing near Taiwan proper, too.
China’s military also operates around Taiwan on an almost daily basis.
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