Premier Jiang Yi-huah attended the launching ceremony of the new Taima Star, Taiwan's largest passenger-cargo ship to date, at Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Co.'s Xin Gao factory in Kaohsiung City's Qijin District today.
The Taima Star will take passengers between Matsu and Keelung. The premier expressed exhilaration about witnessing the event together with compatriots from Matsu, saying, "Standing in front of this magnificent and stately passenger vessel to speak is an extremely rare experience. I am very excited and moved, especially because this ship represents the fulfillment of Matsu residents' dreams after long years of anticipation. It will make transportation between offshore islands and Taiwan proper smoother and more convenient."
The premier pointed out that Lienchiang County Commissioner Yang Sui-sheng is the ship's progenitor, having sponsored it in addition to procuring its predecessor years ago. He also remarked that he was very moved by the common touch Yang displayed by making the new vessel big enough, at 5,000 tonnes, to relieve travelers to and from Matsu of the seasickness many suffered on smaller ships en route.
The premier also thanked Legislator Chen Hsuen-sheng and his predecessor Tsao Erh-chang for their concerns and contributions to Matsu's development.
The new Taima Star was constructed entirely by ROC shipbuilders. "Under the national policy of building ships domestically, we can not only take on the challenge of three- to five-thousand-tonne passenger-cargo ships but also have the ambition to build even larger vessels, because our elite shipbuilders have the ability and technology to carry forward nation's glorious tradition in this industry and take it to new heights," pledged the premier. "The government will create more opportunities for the shipbuilding sector to prove their expertise."
Matsu still requires advancement in many areas, the premier remarked, but he hopes to turn it into a "brighter star" via the Offshore Islands Development Act and related funds, reducing the development gap between offshore islands and Taiwan proper and balancing national growth so that its residents can lead happier and more dignified lives.
"The government will not just resolve Matsu's transportation, industrial and medical problems; it must also give special consideration to compensation of Matsu residents for the many inconveniences they suffered in the past. This principle needs to be upheld by the central and local government," he reiterated.
Accompanying the premier and his wife for the ceremony were Commissioner Yang, Minister without Portfolio Yang Chiu-hsing and Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun.