Taipei, March 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian on Sunday exhorted the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) to develop Taiwan's coastal guard force into a three-dimensional arm in order to thoroughly deal with illegal activities, safeguard the island's waters, and improve social order.
Addressing a ceremony marking the launch of a coast guard force drill held at the Fishermen's Port in Tamshui, Taipei County, Chen encouraged the buildup of a three-dimensional coast guard force uniting law enforcement operations from the air, land and sea.
By conducting such three-dimensional operations, Chen said, the CGA force would be able to carry out humanitarian rescue and relief jobs more efficiently, while stamping out smuggling and other crimes on the seas.
Chen said the 911 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001 have changed the world's traditional notions of the nature of threats and of war. He said he hopes the CGA will make all-out efforts to upgrade its capabilities in cracking down on crimes on the seas, as well as in safeguarding security along the coastlines and improving social order.
He, meanwhile, praised the CGA personnel for their commendable efforts made over the past three years in keeping the coastal situation in order while protecting ocean wildlife conservation.
President Chen joined Vice President Annette Lu and other ranking government officials at the Fishermen's Port to review the drill, dubbed the "Hai An No.2 Exercise."