Fri, Dec 22, 2000 page3

• President Chen visits Pratas Islands for first time

  • By Brian Hsu / STAFF REPORTER
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  President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday visited for the first time the Pratas Islands (東沙), also known as Tungsha, which lie in the South China Sea, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said.

  The Pratas are Taiwan's second southernmost territory, next to Itu Abu (太平島), otherwise known as Taiping island, in the Spratly Islands (南沙).

  Accompanied by CGA director Wang Chun (王郡) and high-ranking military personnel, Chen arrived by aircraft in the morning, the CGA said. The island's airport is able to handle large transport aircraft like the C-130.

  It was the first time that Chen had visited the Pratas since taking office. Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), under whose jurisdiction the islands fall, also joined in the trip.

  The Pratas used to be guarded by regular troops, but at the end of last year the newly established CGA took over defense of the archipelago.

  Chen expressed concern during the half-day trip over matters ranging from the preservation of natural resources in the region to the defense of the small outpost and the would-be full-scale opening of the island for tourism, the CGA said.

  Chen said that Taiwan's South China Sea policy is to solve disputes in the region through peaceful means and to share and jointly cultivate natural resources with neighboring countries.

  "The replacement of regular troops with the coast guard as the defenders of the island has effectively reduced tensions in the region. It also contributes a lot to the interests of the country," Chen said.

  As to the preservation of natural resources in Taiwan's territorial seas off the Pratas, Chen wanted the coast guard stationed on the island to drive away fishing boats from China or boats from other countries that illegally enter Taiwan's territorial waters.

  In a briefing to Chen, the local coast guard commander highlighted the frequent illegal entry into waters off the Pratas by Chinese fishing boats as well as the damage Chinese fishermen have done to the natural resources around the island.

  According to research published by the Kaohsiung-based National Chungshan University, illegal fishing practices by Chinese fishermen have caused the number of species of coral in the region to drop from 137 to 64 in recent years.

  Chen also said that without sufficient preparation by local residents, tourism on the island would not live up to expectations.
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