TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Ocean Affairs Council (海洋委員會) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) opened the Indo-Pacific Marine Debris Collaboration Platform Initiative (印太海洋廢棄物治理國際論壇) on Monday (March 16). The forum, held at National Quemoy University (國立金門大學) on Kinmen, a group of islands located just off China's coast, addresses marine debris affecting Taiwan's outlying islands. Kuan emphasized the urgent need for regional cooperation to tackle cross-border ocean pollution in the Indo-Pacific region.
Kuan revealed that Kinmen grapples with approximately 500 tons of marine debris annually, with over 70% originating from China, and urged regions to put aside political differences. The Ocean Affairs Council allocated NT$13.82 million (around US$431,000) over the past three years to aid Kinmen's waste management operations. Kuan acknowledged the high costs of cross-border waste removal compared to Taiwan's main island, calling for collaborative solutions.
The forum invited representatives from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, along with Taiwanese experts, scholars, and NGO representatives to discuss regional solutions. Local creators from Kinmen shared experiences in reusing marine debris, such as polystyrene and driftwood, in artistic endeavors to raise environmental awareness. Kuan stated, "Although Kinmen is a small island, it can become a crucial node in global ocean governance," highlighting the island's strategic importance.
Kuan expressed hope for National Quemoy University to develop a governance platform between Taiwan and China during a post-ceremony media interview. Her visit included an inspection of oyster farm issues between Kinmen and Xiamen, a major Chinese coastal city, where unauthorized racks could cause microplastic pollution. Kuan stressed that managing marine debris in Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu, Taiwan's three outlying island groups, is a pressing issue requiring international cooperation. ◼