The government is planning a major coast guard overhaul to counter growing “gray zone” threats from China, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday.
Lai made the remarks during the Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) inaugural “National Sea Light Awards” ceremony, where he honored award recipients for their outstanding contributions to national security, maritime law enforcement and rescue operations.
In his address, Lai said that Taiwan is a maritime nation and its security extends beyond land to the seas.
Photo: CNA
China has sought to establish a “new normal” that challenges the “status quo,” with repeated incursions and harassment placing significant pressure on frontline personnel, he said.
Despite this, the coast guard has remained steadfast, continuing its work in cross-border anti-narcotics operations, interdiction of illegal activities, and maritime search and rescue, he added.
“Under growing ‘gray zone’ pressures, coast guard personnel have teamed up with other government agencies to protect the security of undersea cables, ensuring that national operations remain unaffected,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the face of ongoing harassment from Chinese coast guard vessels, the coast guard has been vigilant, monitoring and responding to incidents, securing the safety of Taiwan’s waters, as well as vessels traveling through the area, he added.
Expressing his gratitude, Lai said that “while most people rest during the most challenging weather conditions, coast guard officers remain steadfast at their posts. The dedication is crucial to the nation’s stability and the public’s sense of security.”
Lai announced that the government is to launch a comprehensive transformation plan for the coast guard.
The initiative would focus on integrating sea and air monitoring capabilities, introducing next-generation radar systems and advanced protective equipment, expanding drone usage, and strengthening operational capacity, he said.
The government also plans to improve personnel benefits and renovate outdated facilities nationwide, ensuring better logistical support, and fostering closer collaboration between professional and civilian forces, he added.
Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲), whose agency oversees the CGA, said that Taiwan sits along a key Indo-Pacific shipping route, with the coast guard playing a frontline role in maintaining maritime order that not only safeguards national sovereignty but also helps ensure the stability of global supply chains.
The international community has increasingly viewed Taiwan as an important democratic pillar in the Indo-Pacific region, Kuan said.
Stressing that “where the coast guard stands, sovereignty also stands,” she said the council would continue to implement its vision of an integrated sea and air capability, and a highly capable coast guard, ensuring better equipment and faster response times.
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