Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) yesterday said that it would logistically be difficult to implement Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu’s (朱立倫) idea of turning Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island, 太平島) into a tourist attraction for Taiwanese.
Chu on Monday said that, if elected, he would propose the launch of regular flights to Itu Aba Island to allow Taiwanese to visit the nation’s territory in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島).
Mao was questioned about the proposal during a legislative question-and-answer session by KMT Legislator Yen Kuan-hen (顏寬恆), who wanted to know if it would be possible to have regular flights to the island.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
Some groups have traveled to the island by boat to conduct ecological research or supply runs, the premier said, adding that it was “arduous work for the logistics system to travel there from Taiwan.”
“There is water for basic survival needs on the island, but the capacity [of the island] to handle [more people] is limited, so it would require further professional evaluation before a judgement can be made on whether regular visits for tourism purposes are feasible,” he said.
However, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-tse (李昆澤) questioned the need for further evaluation.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
“There is no need for it. You were director-general of the Civil Aeronautics Administration for a long time and also served as minister of transportation and communications, so you should be fully aware of the infeasibility of the idea. Do not lie to the public,” Lee said.
Ministry of National Defense spokesman Major General David Lo (羅紹和) told reporters that “due to overall national security consideration, a plan for tourism to Taiping Island would require more careful assessment.”
Noting the need to proceed with caution in the Spratlys, Lo said the nation’s military abides by the principle of reducing tension and not provoking conflict, with the aim of peaceful coexistence by all nations in the region.
Despite the official reservations, the KMT caucus embraced Chu’s idea, saying it would allow Taiwanese to see the island with their own eyes, “which could increase the public’s feeling of identification with the territory.”
KMT Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方), who said he has been to the island twice, said it definitely has “tourism value” and that opening it up to visitors would not be a first for the region, as Malaysia and China have made similar arrangements.
Lin said that DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) should clearly enunciate her stance on the nation’s South China Sea policy and whether she would let the nation’s defense of Taiping drop if elected, as it has been said that the DPP would adjust the policy if the party returns to power.
When asked about the concerns raised by some DPP lawmakers that the waters surrounding the island are unsafe, Lin said it was a question of management.
“Is it not more dangerous that Kinmen is even closer to [China]? Can a party that is easily scared run a country? Is not the DPP always pretty brave?” he said.
Additional reporting by Jason Pan
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