Fishing And Diplomacy

Pacific Magazine: What would you say are the most important aspects of Taiwan's relations with the South Pacific?

James Tsai: It is very obvious that the populations of the South Pacific nations are tiny compared to Taiwan's. So it would be difficult to develop heavy industries, and most consumer products are imported. So I think if we want to establish a working relationship with South Pacific island countries, the best way is to focus on their natural resources.

PM: How about the diplomatic aspects?

Tsai: This my personal point of view. I think Taiwan should see those countries as connections. Taiwan's fishing industry focuses on deep sea fishing, so those island countries can serve as connections for the fishing industry. You can cooperate on this as a basis for diplomatic relationships.

PM: How do you think tension with China affects Taiwan's ties with the South Pacific?

Tsai: The tension between Taiwan and China just means we have to try harder. It would be better if we had a good relationship with China. If we have disputes with China, those small island countries can very quickly switch to the other side. However, if we have a stable relationship with China, there will be fewer disputes with those islands.

James Tsai, Chairman of Taiwan’s Fong Kuo Fishery Group. PHOTO: GRAHAM NORRIS

PM: What do you think about so-called "dollar diplomacy?"

Tsai: It's a temporary strategy. When the governing party changes, that situation might change. In terms of economic power, we are not any better than China. In the past we had a better position than China in terms of "dollar diplomacy." But that's not the situation any more. Look at Nauru, for example.

We'd prefer to focus on investment in these countries. For instance, in the Marshall Islands, you can actually see some projects have been completed already. If you have a chance to go there, to the port there, you will see the lights and all the facilities are developed. And that's what investment does. The local people look and they see the harbor is very bright and very beautiful, and they know it's the Taiwanese who did that.

But in terms of the government, I have no idea about their diplomatic strategy in the South Pacific.

PM: What more can the private sector do, in terms of investment?

Tsai: What we are doing is going inside each country and looking at what they have and what we need, and to see if we can come up with some good chemistry. Take Kiribati, for example. We have an investor who went there and we found out about opportunities to build fishing facilities there, for ships and fishing vessels to get supplies or something fixed there. This is a better approach for both parties.

A mutually beneficial investment package is much better than what China did. The Chinese government sent people there to build buildings or fix roads. This is more like a one-way thing. You gave them what they need but it's just temporary. Once it is completed your mission is done there.

PM: How about the illegal fishing? Does it damage Taiwan's relationship with these countries?

Tsai: Definitely. But I think that these are rare cases, because most of the fishing vessels are purse seiners, which are very large fishing vessels. The companies will definitely tell their fishing masters not to do those things. So when you talk about illegal fishing or inappropriate catches, that will probably happen to smaller fishing vessels without big support from their company.

In fact most fishing companies have a very good management system. Most of the purse seiners have a VMS system, which is like a walkie-talkie to keep in contact with the fisherman. So whenever the fishing vessel is about to enter territorial waters, they inform the company. Communications will definitely help eliminate this kind of problem. But small fishing vessels probably don't have enough money to buy this equipment, so this kind of situation could happen. I think in the future they will make VMS a requirement and this kind of problem will disappear.