Maritime disputes have emerged as major potential flashpoints in the Asia-Pacific region. The tense confrontations that have threatened regional security and stability are fueled by the complex historical relationships between countries, disagreement over maritime sovereignty issues, divergent understandings of international law, and many countries’ relentless pursuit of their national interests. Yet oceans need not be a source of regional tensions. On the contrary, these vast maritime expanses provide opportunities for cooperation among all relevant stakeholders. Oceans are crucial to international trade, global development, and human wellbeing and will play an increasingly significant in the global economy in the future.

To broaden our knowledge of the relationship between regional maritime and global economic issues, Taiwan Center for Security Studies (TCSS) hosted the International Conference on Maritime Challenges and Market Opportunities: “Facilitating Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific” on August 29–30, 2017, which was attended by domestic and foreign participants from academia and industry. In addition to maritime security and geopolitical issues, the conference also explored other key topics related to maritime affairs, including the sustainability of the ocean economy, fishing, shipbuilding, maritime energy (e.g. tidal power, offshore wind energy), seabed resources, emerging blue-water technologies, maritime startups, marine environmental protection, marine tourism, and the oceanic cultural and creative industries.

Through discussions of these interrelated topics, the international conference aimed to bring together individuals of diverse backgrounds to share alternative perspectives for regional peace and development and innovative solutions for maritime dispute management. It is our hope that, through such inclusive dialogue on the relationship between maritime disputes and market opportunities, we can together make a meaningful contribution to addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time.

For further details about the event, see the conference handbook.

Tuesday, August 29

Welcome Remarks

  • Fu-Kuo Liu (劉復國), Executive Director, Taiwan Center for Security Studies / Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Paul S. P. Hsu (徐小波), Chairman, Association of Emerging Market Studies Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Rockford Weitz, Professor, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA
  • Kuan-Hsiung Wang (王冠雄), Secretary General, Institute of Marine Affairs and Policy, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Fang Chang (張璠), Senior Consultant, XDL Capital Co., Ltd. , Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Keynote Speech

  • “Facilitating Maritime Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities” – Admiral Richard Y. K. Chen (陳永康), Former Vice Minister, Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Moderator: Linda Liu (劉怜君), Vice President, International Council of Women, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Session 1: Maritime Security and Geopolitics

Lunch Talk

Session 2: Global Maritime Governance

Session 3: Ocean Resources and Fishing

Session 4: Blue-Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Wednesday, August 30

Session 5: Ocean Energy and Sustainable Economic Development

Session 6: Roundtable Discussion

  • Moderator: Paul S. P. Hsu (徐小波), Chairman, Association of Emerging Market Studies, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Rockford Weitz, Professor, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA
  • Pou Sothirak, Executive Director, Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, Cambodia
  • “Fish Discard” – Peter D. M. Chiang (江德敏), Founder, Hanaqua Tech Inc., Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Mignonne Chan, (詹滿容), Director General, India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (Taipei Office), Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Francis Y. H. Kan (甘逸驊), Deputy Executive Director, Taiwan Center for Security Studies, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Closing Remarks

  • Fu-Kuo Liu (劉復國), Executive Director, Taiwan Center for Security Studies / Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • Rockford Weitz, Professor, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA