President William Lai called for ocean cooperation unconstrained by political factors during remarks Tuesday in Taipei. He addressed a delegation attending the Taiwan International Ocean Forum at the Presidential Office. Among attendees was Dutch lawmaker Jan Paternotte, cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.
Specifically, Lai highlighted growing maritime security challenges facing the broader Indo-Pacific region currently. These include increasing gray zone activities, escalating law enforcement conflicts and threats to undersea cables. Consequently, he emphasized that maritime security now affects global peace, not just coastal states.
Furthermore, Lai thanked G7 nations for reaffirming commitment toward a free, rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Group members specifically opposed unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through coercion. Therefore, deepening international ocean cooperation remains essential for regional peace and stability, Lai argued.
Additionally, Taiwan plans strengthening its own countermeasures against emerging maritime threats and challenges. Last month, the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee conducted a tabletop exercise testing emergency responses. This exercise specifically addressed gray zone harassment and high-intensity maritime coercion scenarios.
Moreover, Lai stressed Taiwan’s willingness to share experience and build stronger cooperation mechanisms internationally. These mechanisms would cover maritime law enforcement, search-and-rescue operations and submarine infrastructure protection specifically. He described Taiwan as an indispensable partner advancing global ocean sustainability efforts.
However, Lai noted Taiwan’s exclusion from the 11th Our Ocean Conference due to political interference. Despite this setback, he called the Taiwan International Ocean Forum a vital international link. This year’s forum attracted over 100 experts alongside lawmakers from fifteen countries.
Ultimately, Lai expressed gratitude toward international partners while urging continued ocean cooperation moving forward. He hopes nations will collectively safeguard open oceans while promoting broader peace and prosperity. This gathering reflects Taiwan’s persistent effort to maintain global visibility despite diplomatic obstacles.
