Latest news with #OceanDay
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Taiwan ramps up coast guard and military readiness in face of Beijing's 'gray zone' warfare
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan - Taiwan's coast guard and affiliated military units put on a show of strength during an "Ocean Day" drill last week amid growing threats from China. Held in southern Taiwan's largest city, Kaohsiung, the exercise was overseen by Taiwan President William Lai, and while framed as demonstrations of search and rescue and anti-terrorism abilities, there was no escaping the larger reason why Taiwan is strengthening frontline defenses and operational readiness. Alongside the navy, Taiwan's coast guard is undergoing modernization. On display during the Ocean Day exercise was one of Taiwan's new Anping-class corvettes, stealth-capable vessels with surface-to-land missile systems, and, naturally, advanced rescue capabilities. Taiwan's President Targets China Influence, Kicks Out Pro-beijing Agitators Amid Rising Tensions This all comes as Taiwan's top weapons developer recently announced they had developed various new sea drones – including so-called "kamikaze" or suicide drones. An anonymous official claimed Taiwan's military will test the sea drones in waters off Southern Taiwan this August. Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed late last month that the navy of independently-ruled Taiwan will soon add unmanned surface vehicles, while the army is set to inaugurate its first drone units this year. Reports say Taiwan produced around 10,000 drones last year, and this year plans to buy 3,000+ more made by local companies for military use. Read On The Fox News App In remarks following the Ocean Day exercise, Lai urged Taiwan's lawmakers to back his administration's latest defense spending proposals and told the group of select guests that included the highest-ranking American official based in Southern Taiwan, Neil Gibson, that the matter was about more than just ships and hardware. "It's about national resilience." Taiwanese government officials frequently denounce what they term as escalating "gray zone" warfare from Beijing, actions such as harassing fishing vessels, illegal incursions, and, on at least one occasion, boarding a Taiwan-flagged civilian ferry. Taiwan sees these actions as Chinese attempts to create a "new normal" of uncontested control of the roughly 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait that separates the two sides. Taiwan's coast guard is dwarfed by the growing Chinese coast guard, which is already the largest in the world in terms of the number and size of vessels. Last year, according to statistics provided to Fox News Digital by Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council, Taiwan's coast guard drove away 1,196 vessels from Taiwanese waters – 1,135 of which were from China. China Ramps Up Military 'Rehearsals' Around Taiwan, Outstrips Us In Air, Maritime, Space Lai said there is an urgent need for upgraded infrared surveillance to enable round-the-clock maritime monitoring, as well as other tech that could combat Chinese tactics that include illegal sand dredging, cyber disruptions and even sabotage of undersea cables, actions deliberately chosen to stay below the threshold of "acts of war." Ross Darrell Feingold, a lawyer and political risk analyst based in Taipei, told Fox News Digital that Lai's calls for bipartisanship arise from the president's party not currently holding a majority in Taiwan's Parliament, which will make the passage of his proposed $13.6 billion USD "special budget" much more difficult. "This proposed spending would go to the coast guard, the military, and be used to assist domestic industries affected by higher U.S. tariffs," said Feingold, who noted that the Trump administration should have no issues with selling weapons to he took office on May 20, 2024, Lai has increased defense spending within the limits of what he can do while not holding a majority in Parliament. Beijing's communist government stubbornly claims Taiwan as its territory despite never having governed it for a single day, and in recent years, removed language calling for a "peaceful settlement" in official statements. One widely quoted assertion claims Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the Chinese military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, now less than two years article source: Taiwan ramps up coast guard and military readiness in face of Beijing's 'gray zone' warfare
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Taiwan ramps up coast guard and military readiness in face of Beijing's 'gray zone' warfare
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan - Taiwan's coast guard and affiliated military units put on a show of strength during an "Ocean Day" drill last week amid growing threats from China. Held in southern Taiwan's largest city, Kaohsiung, the exercise was overseen by Taiwan President William Lai, and while framed as demonstrations of search and rescue and anti-terrorism abilities, there was no escaping the larger reason why Taiwan is strengthening frontline defenses and operational readiness. Alongside the navy, Taiwan's coast guard is undergoing modernization. On display during the Ocean Day exercise was one of Taiwan's new Anping-class corvettes, stealth-capable vessels with surface-to-land missile systems, and, naturally, advanced rescue capabilities. This all comes as Taiwan's top weapons developer recently announced they had developed various new sea drones – including so-called "kamikaze" or suicide drones. An anonymous official claimed Taiwan's military will test the sea drones in waters off Southern Taiwan this August. Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed late last month that the navy of independently-ruled Taiwan will soon add unmanned surface vehicles, while the army is set to inaugurate its first drone units this year. Reports say Taiwan produced around 10,000 drones last year, and this year plans to buy 3,000+ more made by local companies for military use. In remarks following the Ocean Day exercise, Lai urged Taiwan's lawmakers to back his administration's latest defense spending proposals and told the group of select guests that included the highest-ranking American official based in Southern Taiwan, Neil Gibson, that the matter was about more than just ships and hardware. "It's about national resilience." Taiwanese government officials frequently denounce what they term as escalating "gray zone" warfare from Beijing, actions such as harassing fishing vessels, illegal incursions, and, on at least one occasion, boarding a Taiwan-flagged civilian ferry. Taiwan sees these actions as Chinese attempts to create a "new normal" of uncontested control of the roughly 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait that separates the two sides. Taiwan's coast guard is dwarfed by the growing Chinese coast guard, which is already the largest in the world in terms of the number and size of vessels. Last year, according to statistics provided to Fox News Digital by Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council, Taiwan's coast guard drove away 1,196 vessels from Taiwanese waters – 1,135 of which were from China. Lai said there is an urgent need for upgraded infrared surveillance to enable round-the-clock maritime monitoring, as well as other tech that could combat Chinese tactics that include illegal sand dredging, cyber disruptions and even sabotage of undersea cables, actions deliberately chosen to stay below the threshold of "acts of war." Ross Darrell Feingold, a lawyer and political risk analyst based in Taipei, told Fox News Digital that Lai's calls for bipartisanship arise from the president's party not currently holding a majority in Taiwan's Parliament, which will make the passage of his proposed $13.6 billion USD "special budget" much more difficult. "This proposed spending would go to the coast guard, the military, and be used to assist domestic industries affected by higher U.S. tariffs," said Feingold, who noted that the Trump administration should have no issues with selling weapons to he took office on May 20, 2024, Lai has increased defense spending within the limits of what he can do while not holding a majority in Parliament. Beijing's communist government stubbornly claims Taiwan as its territory despite never having governed it for a single day, and in recent years, removed language calling for a "peaceful settlement" in official statements. One widely quoted assertion claims Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the Chinese military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, now less than two years away.
Associated Press
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Deep Surface
A Concert and Video/Visual Art Performance Inspired by the Sea Set to Premiere in December 2025 in Miami MIAMI, Jan. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Deep Surface | Immersive is an innovative concert and multimedia performance that immerses audiences in the beauty and urgency of the ocean. Previewing a work-in-progress for Ocean Day in June and premiering in December 2025 in Miami, this groundbreaking experience blends live contemporary music and visual/video art to create a sensory journey that celebrates the sea and raises critical awareness about the need for ocean conservation. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Deep Surface | Immersive embodies a global mission to protect the oceans. In addition to raising awareness, the updated project is committed to making a tangible impact on ocean conservation efforts. Background Deep Surface was originally conceived by composer and artist Gabriel E. Pulido in Paris, France, as a multidisciplinary performance that united music, video art by artist Sabrina Montiel-Soto, and live dance/movement by multimedia artis Walid Breidi. The project debuted in Miami Beach, where choreographer and dancer Sandra Portal-Andreu contributed to its dance creation. Early versions of the work received support from UNESCO's Ocean Commission and the City of Miami Beach, highlighting its global relevance. As Pulido recognized the urgent need to address the increasing environmental impact on the world's oceans, he joined forces again with visual artist Montiel-Soto to reimagine the project as an even more immersive experience. Together, they are crafting a new iteration that amplifies the project's dual mission: to inspire awe through artistic expression and to deepen understanding of the environmental challenges facing our oceans. As prominent marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle so profoundly stated: 'Knowing is the key to caring, and with caring, there is hope that people will be motivated to take positive actions. They might not care even if they know, but they can't care if they are unaware.' A Call to Action Deep Surface | Immersive is both an artistic endeavor and a call to action. Through a collaboration with the World Council of Peoples for the United Nations (WCPUN), proceeds from the project will support organizations dedicated to preserving the health of the world's oceans. WCPUN is a non-governmental organization associated with the UN's Department of Global Communications and is serving as the project's fiscal sponsor. As Deep Surface | Immersive evolves into its next chapter, it promises to captivate audiences with its powerful fusion of art, advocacy, and action, leaving a lasting impression on all who experience it.
