Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (on screen) delivers opening remarks via a prerecorded video at the International Conference on Sea Lane Security June 7 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of OAC)
 

An international conference on sea lane security took place June 7 in Taipei City as part of ongoing government efforts to promote transnational technology cooperation and safeguard global maritime security, according to the Ocean Affairs Council.

Jointly organized by the OAC and Kaohsiung City-based National Sun Yat-sen University, the daylong event was attended by academics and experts from countries including Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, the U.K. and the U.S.

During her opening remarks, OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling said maritime security is essential not only to Taiwan’s future but also to the stable development of the global economy. The council will continue to boost relevant technological collaboration and strengthen international exchanges, she added.

Kuan went on to say that Taiwan is dedicated to safeguarding regional peace, a priority shared by fellow Indo-Pacific countries. She urged the international community, particularly leaders in science and technology, to work with Taiwan to build a safer marine environment.

According to keynote speaker Gregory B. Poling, director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Washington, D.C.-headquartered Center for Strategic and International Studies, Taiwan is situated in a key geostrategic location, and the government plays a crucial role in strengthening marine technology cooperation with neighboring countries. He said that to establish regional maritime domain awareness information exchanges, it is vital to construct low-orbit satellite systems and deepen related partnerships with neighboring nations.

Following his remarks, Kuo Yu-jen, a session host and chair of NSYU’s Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies, proposed a transparency initiative in which the international community would set up an open platform for sharing information on unregistered ships while jointly enhancing surveillance of illegal and gray zone operations.

According to the OAC, CSIS, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, Korea University, and Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Ocean Policy Research Institute were among the prominent institutions that participated in the event. (YCH-E)