National Ocean Day: Cho Jung-tai Calls for Sovereignty, Security, and Conservation

(Central News Agency, reporter Zhang Yilian, Kaohsiung, 7th) Premier Cho Jung-tai attended the 'National Ocean Day' event today, stating that Taiwan has the confidence and certainty to face the ocean and the world. He also reiterated efforts to combat organized crime and drugs, deepen marine conservation, and promote marine surveys, expressing hope that Ocean Day will become a day of sovereignty, security, and conservation.

Cho Jung-tai, accompanied by Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling, visited Piers 16 and 17 at Kaohsiung Port this morning to attend the '2026 7th National Ocean Day' celebration. The event began with a performance by the 'Amis Kakeng Orchestra,' followed by Cho presenting awards to winners of the 'Marine Conservation Model' award.

In his speech, Cho stated that today is the first 'National Ocean Day' since the implementation of the Marine Conservation Act. He pledged to continue deepening marine conservation and pollution prevention, support the National Academy of Marine Research in promoting marine survey teams and the National Ship Model Laboratory, and continue advancing the 'Sea-Air Integration, Elite Coast Guard' initiative to strengthen maritime security and national resilience.

Cho said the Executive Yuan recently proposed measures ranging from deterrence at the source to strengthening investigations and severely punishing drug dealers. A 'Crack Down on Crime and Drugs' central command group will be established, working with six major anti-drug agencies including prosecutors, police, investigation bureau, military police, coast guard, and customs to protect the safety of people's lives and property.

Regarding geopolitics and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Cho noted that Taiwan is an important central point. 'We have the confidence and certainty to see the world from Taiwan, to see the Pacific Ocean from Taiwan, to see that vast ocean.'

Cho stated that he advocates for Taiwan to face the ocean and go out to the world. 'We don't have to stay here in mainland China; that is where our future development opportunities lie.' He expressed hope that the coast guard will be the frontline for cracking down on crime and drugs, protecting social security, and that the 'Marine Conservation Model' awardees will continue to work hard in their respective fields, making National Ocean Day a day of national sovereignty, security, and conservation.

'Where the coast guard is, sovereignty is,' said Kuan Bi-ling. She stated that hostile foreign forces are attempting to harass Taiwan through a so-called 'Special Maritime Traffic Law Enforcement Operation' that falsely claims jurisdiction. In recent years, China has continuously escalated gray-zone harassment of Taiwan's waters using research vessels and coast guard ships, starting with the 'Tongji' incident on May 7, challenging the maritime order in unprecedented ways under various pretexts.

Kuan said any attempt to change the status quo or undermine regional peace through hegemonic means will not be accepted by the Taiwanese people. The coast guard will stand on the front line to fully defend national sovereignty and maritime rights.

The Coast Guard Administration stated in a press release today that the Chinese research vessel 'Tongji' harassed waters around Taiwan in May. Recently, coast guard ships and the marine survey vessel 'Haisilu 6' trespassed into Dongsha, and even conducted a so-called 'Special Maritime Traffic Law Enforcement Operation' in the waters east of Taiwan.

The Coast Guard Administration stated that China is using this opportunity to escalate gray-zone harassment against Taiwan, creating a false impression of having 'jurisdiction,' and attempting to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. These actions violate international law and are a serious departure from the facts. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150607