Mr. Chiau Wen-Yan (邱文彥), ROC Legislator;
Mr. Shyu Jyuo-Min (徐爵民), Minister of Science and Technology;
Mr. Wei Kuo-Yen (魏國彥), Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration;
Mr. Bao-ji Chen (陳保基), Minister of the Council of Agriculture;
Mr. Liu Shiuh-Tzung (劉緒宗), Dean of National Taiwan University's College of Science;
Mr. Ching-Ling Wei (魏慶琳), Chairman of the Oceanographic Society of the Republic of China;
Mr. Wang Jough-Tai (王作臺), Vice President of the National Applied Research Laboratories;
Mr. Andrew Jen-Chuan Kao (高振群), Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council;
Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning! I know there are scholars from France. Bonjour!
I'm very happy to be here today for the International Symposium on Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in the South China Sea. Taiwan's Ministry of Science and Technology has invited many well-known international scholars, and atmospheric and oceanographic experts from Taiwan to gather here today to discuss important scientific topics of the South China Sea, and make concrete plans for future cooperative research projects. This is a significant step for Taiwan's scientific development, so I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my perspectives on issues involving the South China Sea.
Geographically, the South China Sea is located between the world's largest land mass—Eurasia—and our planet's largest ocean—the Pacific. Its importance cannot be overstated. Rich in marine resources, it is a major shipping route for the resources of the countries of Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. And the South China Sea is also a prime location for observing East Asian climactic conditions.
On-site surveys have helped us understand how the marine environment and ecological systems function in the South China Sea, and how typhoons and seasonal monsoons are generated. The results of that kind of research are important for the survival, and the development, of people in all the countries in the region. And when it comes to observing and researching natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis, those research results have a direct impact on the lives and property of the people. That's why the government of the Republic of China has taken a proactive approach to scientific research, environmental protection, and disaster prevention in the South China Sea. And that is also why we are so intent on working with all the concerned parties, and the international scientific research community.
To do scientific research in the South China Sea, we need a peaceful environment free from intervention. And Taiwan, as you know, is surrounded by the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait, and is therefore eager to promote peace in all these marginal seas and the strait.
For the Taiwan Strait, everyone is well aware that over the past eight years, Taiwan and Mainland China, who used to be staunch political enemies, have signed 23 agreements, covering a variety of issues, and successfully transformed the erstwhile killing field into a peace boulevard.
In August of 2012, responding to the mounting tension in the East China Sea, I proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative, calling on all the relevant parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means, and in accordance with international law. In 2013, that initiative helped us sign a fisheries agreement with Japan, and successfully resolve the East China Sea fishing dispute that had dragged on for 40 years. The agreement also set a good example for promoting regional peace and was welcomed by the United States, Australia, and the EU. And by the way, all parties to the dispute are very happy about the result. Only one party does not agree. That is the fish. Because we have much larger catch of fish in that area as a result of this peace agreement.
Based on the success of our East China Sea Peace Initiative, on May 26 of last year I also proposed the South China Sea Peace Initiative, which calls on all parties to exercise self-restraint, maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region, and use peaceful means to resolve disputes.
The first concrete achievement of the South China Sea Peace Initiative last year was the signing of a maritime law enforcement cooperation agreement with the Philippines on November 5 last year. The agreement established three principles: first of all, no use of force in law enforcement operations; second, providing a one-hour advance notice before starting such operations; and number three, releasing detained vessels and crews within three days. That agreement has helped ease the fisheries disputes between Taiwan and the Philippines, which has been in existence for over four decades, particularly in the overlapping areas of our exclusive economic zones. And this agreement also safeguards the lives and property of Taiwan's fishermen.
What we have achieved in the Taiwan Strait, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea clearly shows that any policy that promotes peace will be welcome everywhere. Because peace has no losers, whereas war has no winners. As you can see, our progressive, step-by-step approach over the past few years has created a vision of "Peace in the Three Seas" that extends from the Taiwan Strait to the East China Sea, and from there to the South China Sea. And we sincerely hope that vision will be maintained in the future.
And another thing is our Taiping Island in the South China Sea, which is also called Itu Aba in English. It has an area less than about half a square kilometer, and is located in the center of the South China Sea. This Taiping Island is the largest naturally formed island in the Spratly group in the South China Sea, which is also the only island in the South China Sea that has fresh water and large vegetation.
It is located, as I said, in the southern waters of the South China Sea. It provides an excellent observation post for oceanographic and atmospheric research. Back in 1978, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) promoted a global meteorological program along with countries in America and Europe. As part of that program, they set up an observation post on Taiping Island for their Winter Monsoon Experiment.
We've already installed an earthquake observation post on Taiping Island, and are gradually setting up an observation network for the region surrounding the South China Sea. That way we can make a concrete contribution by monitoring earthquakes in the region, and providing timely alerts and tsunami warnings. We also expect to set up oceanographic and meteorological observation buoys in the surrounding waters that will let us conduct survey research about the ecosystem of the Nansha Atoll, and records of past natural disasters. The Republic of China scholars are also planning to promote a field research program in the South China Sea waters, hoping to collaborate with other international programs, as well as other countries in the South China Sea region, making Taiping Island an important international scientific research station.
We have also been working to turn Taiping Island into an island of peace and rescue services, as well as a low-carbon and ecologically aware island. I think most of you have not been to the island. So you may not know there is a hospital with eight beds, three doctors, one of which is a dentist and two nurses. We also have very large trees, which, you can never imagine, in a small island like that, you can have such a big tree. And to show the international community just how determined we are to do those subprojects, on December 12 last year, Taiwan's Minister of the Interior, Chen Wei-zen (陳威仁), Coast Guard Administration Minister Wang Chung-yi (王崇儀), and other government officials presided over a ceremony marking the completion of wharf and lighthouse communications infrastructure projects on Taiping Island. By making practical use of Taiping Island for peaceful purposes, we are also making the spirit of the South China Sea Peace Initiative a concrete reality. We may even use the island to convene international conferences on scientific and other subjects. Currently, the island can accommodate at least 30 people to have an international conference with other telecommunication equipment.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not a scientist by training. I'm a lawyer by profession, specialized in international law. But when I wrote my doctoral dissertation at Harvard Law School 35 years ago on the maritime delimitation of the East China Sea, I had to study the marine geology of the Okinawa Trough to determine whether it is a natural undersea boundary of the continental shelf between Taiwan and Japan. That in turn depends on whether it is a continental or oceanic basin. I don't have an answer. But this is such a fascinating issue, so I spent two months studying the issue in Harvard's libraries to find the answer, until my thesis adviser reminded me: "Mr. Ma, you are writing a thesis on international law, not on marine geology." So I decided to stop the research and called up an expert, who was Professor Kenneth O. Emery of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to ask his opinion. Because he was the person who led the group, an economic commission by the United Nations to the Far East, to conduct the survey of the geology of the area near the Diaoyutai Islands, so he knows that area very well. He said the Okinawa Trough is neither an oceanic nor a continental basin, but it is becoming an oceanic basin in the future. That answer, to a large extent, solved my problem. I am thankful to him—as you know, he passed away in 1998—and to all the geologists who have made the study of marine geology such an interesting experience for me.
So I would also like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology for their efforts in organizing this conference, and all of the scholars and experts for their enthusiastic participation. I have great expectations for your collective contribution to the marine sciences in the South China Sea.
Last but not least, I know you have a very busy schedule. But I still would like to advise you to squeeze some time out of your schedule to enjoy the very rich cultural life in this country. There are two places I would recommend you to go. One is, of course, the National Palace Museum, which houses the art treasures of the last 3,500 years and the collection of at least 25 emperors. The second place I would like you to visit is Taipei's night markets, to taste a variety of exotic and tasty snacks, which reflect the everyday life of our country. Of course, during your stay, please do as much shopping as possible to help revive our economy.
Once again, welcome to Taiwan.
Thank you very much!