President Lai Ching-te went to Kaohsiung this morning (11th) to attend the "Launching and Naming Ceremony of the National Oceanic Institute's 100-ton and 300-ton marine basic data survey vessels" to witness the specific results of the government's implementation of the "Marine Conservation Act" and the "National Ocean Policy White Paper". It also stated that the government will continue to build a "national marine radar observation network" to strengthen maritime security monitoring and decision-making support capabilities, and promote the construction of 4,000-ton survey ships to complete Taiwan's marine scientific research system. It hopes to build its own marine knowledge and capabilities, giving Taiwan more confidence and strength to break through the challenges of gray zone intrusion.

I am very happy to go south to Kaohsiung today to host the "Launching and Naming Ceremony of the 100-ton and 300-ton marine basic data survey vessels." First of all, I would like to thank the team led by Chairman Guan Biling and President Chen Zhangling, as well as all colleagues of Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation led by Chairman Chen Zhenghong. Their joint efforts made this mission successfully completed. At the same time, I would also like to wish today’s launching and naming activities a complete success, and the subsequent operation of the two offshore transfer vessels to be smooth sailing.

We all know that Taiwan is a small and mountainous country; because Taiwan is surrounded by the sea, it is also a maritime country, and we are all citizens of the sea. The ocean is not a barrier to Taiwan, but a bridge connecting the world. For Taiwan, the ocean is also a very critical issue in terms of economic development, energy transition, ecological conservation, and national security.

Therefore, at the 520 inauguration ceremony, I proposed the national direction of "racing for space and exploring the ocean." We hope that by exploring the ocean, we can understand and master the ocean, so we can make good use of the ocean and further manage the ocean. This is a common goal for everyone.

Over the past two years or so, the Executive Yuan has successively completed legislation on the Marine Conservation Act, issued a new version of the National Ocean Policy White Paper, and promoted the establishment of a national ocean science and technology operation system. It has also continued to strengthen ocean observation, scientific research facilities, and survey fleets to enhance Taiwan's ability to independently survey and research the ocean.

Today, the official launch of these two 100-ton and 300-ton survey ships is the concrete result of the implementation of this policy.

The theme of today's ceremony is "Painting for Love, Navigating for Knowledge", which is the best reflection of marine scientific research. The mission of the survey ship is to clearly describe the unknown and vague sea areas in the past piece by piece. After setting sail, the two ships will conduct basic surveys on marine hydrology, geology, and ecology in offshore, shallow seas and waters surrounding offshore islands.

The monitoring data accumulated from the survey will support marine conservation, disaster prevention, climate adjustment, industrial development and government decision-making, and continue to improve Taiwan's marine governance and disaster response capabilities.

Especially in recent years, China has carried out various gray zone intrusions through scientific research ships, coast guard ships and cognitive operations, affecting regional peace and stability. We are reminded that only by having a more complete grasp of our own maritime environment can we maintain national security and jointly safeguard maritime order with the international community.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank Chairman Guan Biling and all coast patrol colleagues for their full efforts on the front line to protect maritime borders and maintain maritime security.

Next, the government will continue to build a "national ocean radar observation network" to strengthen maritime security monitoring and decision-making support capabilities. We will also actively promote the construction of 4,000-ton survey ships, build a complete survey fleet from the coast to the ocean, and integrate survey research, manpower training and data sharing to complete Taiwan's marine scientific research system.

We hope to use the power of science to truly grasp the environmental changes in the surrounding sea areas, further strengthen "sea area situational awareness", and build our own marine knowledge and capabilities. When the light of science and knowledge continues to bloom, it will ensure the transparency and openness of sea areas, giving Taiwan more confidence and strength to break through the challenges of gray zone intrusion.

Finally, I would like to encourage all colleagues in the IOC and the National Oceanic Research Institute to seize this rare opportunity, go all out, fulfill their mission, and complete the important responsibilities delivered by the country. I wish all distinguished guests and good friends good health and all the best. Thank you all.

Subsequently, the President eulogized the marine basic data research vessels "Chengbo NO.101" and "Chengbo NO.102" and witnessed the bottle-throwing ceremony. Then, Chairman Guan Biling of the Ocean Committee presented the "Chengbo NO.101" ship model to the president.

The event was also attended by Secretary-General of the National Security Council Joseph Wu, Chairman of the Ocean Council Kuan Biling, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, Director of the National Oceanographic Institute Chen Zhangling, and Chairman of Taiwan International Shipbuilding Corporation Chen Cheng-hong.