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International Scholars Visit Dongsha Islands, Witnessing Taiwan’s Achievements
Date:2019-06-13
Unit:Department of International Development

On June 13 2019, the first day of the two-day 2019 International Dongsha Conference organized by the Ocean Affairs Council with the aim to speak to the world of Taiwan’s management and fruitful achievements in marine policy, marine ecology, conservation, scientific research and maritime safety and security over the Dongsha Islands (also known as “the Tungsha Islands” or “the Pratas Islands”), the Ocean Affairs Council has invited experts and scholars from domestics and overseas, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Belgium, Malaysia, and the Philippines, and several ambassadors to Taiwan to visit the Dongsha Island and attend the conference. During their stay on the island, it is expected for all attendees not only to witness how Taiwan values the sustainability development of oceans and seas but to collaboratively respond to challenges in the future by proactively engaging with the international community and exchanging of views on international maritime affairs. The delegation, led by Deputy Minister Chuang, Ching-Ta, consists of the Ambassador of the Republic of Kiribati, the Executive Director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office, and high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Ministry of Education, the Council of Agriculture and other domestic and overseas scholars and experts, close to 70 attendees, are scheduled to take a group photo in front of the national monument – Nanhai (South China Sea) Barrier, have lunch with troops stationed on the island, watch an introductory film about the Dongsha Islands, and visit the Crescent Tooth Park, the Dongsha Management Station of the Marine National Park, the newly-unveiled Dongsha Postal Office, and the Da-wang (Great King) Temple. The delegation will experience local life, learn the local customs and practices, and to appreciate the natural landscape on the islan.

Furthermore, it is worthwhile to mention that the postcards written by the guests will be sent to their hometowns from the Dongsha Post Office, which appropriately shows that sovereignty extends as far as postal services reach. The guests are sure to notice the shark featured wall art, and the cute, eye-catching statue outside the post office.
  
Located in the north of the South China Sea, the Dongsha Atoll is circular in shape just like a full moon, where housing rich biodiversity of marine life. In January 2007, Taiwan established the Dongsha Atoll National Park, covering approximately 353 thousand hectares of area of land and the waters, which is larger than the total area of the 6 national parks of Taiwan and equivalent to one-tenth of Taiwan Island. The Dongsha Atoll National Park covers the different but interdependent ecosystems. It is different from Taiwan’s coastal coral reef ecosystem, and its complexity is much higher than the land ecosystem.
  
Located in the west of the Dongsha Atoll, the Dongsha Island is the biggest and the only reef island above the sea surface among the Dongsha Islands. The beautiful beach is covered by coral sand and shell sand – soft, delicate to the touch. Its coastline extends all the way to the vibrant blue skies, reflecting off the crystal clear, unpolluted seawaters. Its breath-taking scenery are enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike, many of whom are swept away by a sea of utopian bliss. After the delegation’s visit to the Dongsha Island, the Ocean Affairs Council is to hold the 2019 International Dongsha Conference on the next day, June 14, at the 85 Sky Tower Hotel in Kaohsiung City with keynotes speeches and panel discussions on 6 topics: the law of the sea and marine policy, marine ecology, maritime security, marine industries, marine culture and ocean research. It is expected that the conference will provide a platform for all the attendees to share their insights and experience, to propose the directions for future maritime claims, ecological rehabilitation, and marine scientific research, and to encourage more domestic marine science scholars and maritime experts’ participation in international affairs to demonstrate Taiwan’s resolution to proactively engage with the international community.

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International Scholars Visit Dongsha Islands, Witnessing Taiwan’s Achievements
International Scholars Visit Dongsha Islands, Witnessing Taiwan’s Achievements
Eco commentary
Eco commentary
The Dongsha Island
The Dongsha Island
The Dongsha Management Station of the Marine National Park
The Dongsha Management Station of the Marine National Park
International Scholars Visit Dongsha Islands
International Scholars Visit Dongsha Islands
The Dongsha Islands (also known as “the Tungsha Islands” or “the Pratas Islands”)
The Dongsha Islands (also known as “the Tungsha Islands” or “the Pratas Islands”)
  • Visitor: 629
  • Update: 2020-01-10
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