TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) attended a beam-raising ceremony in Kaohsiung, a major port city in southern Taiwan, on Monday (Jan. 19), marking a milestone for Taiwan's marine development agencies. The event signaled progress for the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC, 海洋委員會), Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA, 海洋保育署), and National Academy of Marine Research (NAMR, 國家海洋研究院) as they prepare to share a new office complex. The government has allocated NT$91.8 billion (around US$2.91 billion) for marine affairs in 2024-2025.
Premier Cho announced plans to complete the new office complex by 2028. He emphasized the government's long-standing efforts, beginning in 2004, to establish a dedicated marine affairs agency, culminating in the creation of the OAC in 2018 under former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). This initiative consolidated marine affairs previously spread across 22 government agencies into a single coordinating body responsible for ocean policy and conservation.
The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, allocated NT$91.8 billion (around US$2.91 billion) for 2024-2025, including a special budget of NT$29.5 billion (around US$937 million) for the OAC and its units. Cho noted this investment aims to advance the Coast Guard Administration's (CGA, 海巡署) second transformation, enhancing national security and maritime law enforcement capabilities. The funding supports Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its maritime presence and ocean governance.
OAC Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) highlighted the office complex's eco-friendly design during the ceremony. The seven-story building with two basement levels aims to achieve a 1+ energy efficiency rating and dual gold certifications in green and smart building standards. The complex aspires to become Taiwan's first near-zero-carbon government office, reflecting the administration's commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility.