Kaohsiung: Premier Cho Jung-tai reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating drugs and organized crime, deepening marine conservation efforts, and advancing oceanographic research during a ceremony marking National Oceans Day in Kaohsiung on Sunday. Speaking at Piers 16 and 17 of Kaohsiung Port, Cho expressed hope that National Oceans Day will come to symbolize national sovereignty, maritime security, and environmental protection.
According to Focus Taiwan, the event marked the first National Oceans Day celebration since the Marine Conservation Act took effect in July 2025. Premier Cho emphasized the government's ongoing support for projects led by the National Academy of Marine Research, such as establishing marine survey teams and a national ship-model testing laboratory. He also highlighted the promotion of an integrated sea-air coast guard to enhance maritime security and national resilience.
Cho further detailed the Cabinet's new anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives, which include plans to form a central command task force. This force will bring together prosecutors, police, investigators, military police, coast guard, and customs authorities. During the ceremony organized by the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC), OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling warned of increased "gray-zone" activities by China in waters around Taiwan. She referenced the May 7 incident involving the Chinese research vessel Tongji and other recent activities by Chinese coast guard ships and survey vessels near Taiwan-controlled waters.
Minister Kuan explained that China aims to create the impression of having legal jurisdiction over waters around Taiwan through "special maritime traffic enforcement operations." She firmly stated, "Where the coast guard is present, sovereignty is present," emphasizing Taiwan's refusal to accept changes to the status quo through coercive means.
The ceremony also featured the Coast Guard Administration's (CGA) first public display of its newly acquired Penguin C Mk2.5 VTOL second-generation drone. Purchased for approximately US$7 million, the drone is expected to be fully delivered by the end of June. It is equipped with an AI-powered real-time image recognition system and designed for maritime surveillance and aerial patrol missions, capable of operating for more than 10 hours with a remote-control range of up to 180 kilometers.
Additionally, the event celebrated organizations and individuals recognized as marine conservation role models for their contributions to marine ecology, coral reef restoration, and cetacean conservation. The National Oceans Day celebration also included public tours of the CGA's 4,000-ton Yunlin patrol vessel, marine-themed performances, an ocean market and policy exhibition, and a marine parade featuring cosplay participants. Visitors were given access to four sections of the vessel: the rescue boat, bridge, medical facilities, and flight deck.