Cijin Grand Maritime Project

Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo

“Industrial Diversification” is the future trend,

The power of grassroots initiatives will gather from all directions,

This is a historic opportunity to create a prosperous Taiwan,

Let’s build a brighter tomorrow for the generations to come.

Cijin Grand Maritime Project

Our cashless system has already reached an annual transaction volume of USD 36 trillion worldwide. In yesterday’s meeting, the conclusion was clear: we must leverage 1% of the intellectual property (IP) derived from this USD 36 trillion system in the United States, integrating it with MAGA and the U.S. sovereign wealth fund to mobilize USD 360 billion— this capital will be strategically allocated to various initiatives promoted by “NDART” (National Defense Alliance for a Rich Taiwan).

A key component of this strategy is the allocation of USD 100 billion to develop Cijin (aka Qijin Island or Chijin Island), Kaohsiung, under the "Cijin Grand Maritime Project"— an ambitious infrastructure and economic transformation initiative. This plan includes the construction of:

* A new international airport

* A major shipyard

* Air cargo facilities

* Container yards

* Maritime terminals

* International tourist hotels

* A duty-free zone

Fig 1: "Cijin Grand Maritime Project" (AI-generated image)

Potential Impact of the “Cijin Grand Maritime Project”:

1. Job Creation & Economic Value Chain Expansion

--Generating 150,000 new jobs and stimulating related industries.

2. Strengthening Global Competitiveness & Trade Hub Status

--Unlocking trillion-dollar business opportunities.

3. Technological Innovation & Industrial Upgrades

--Advancing big data, AI, and IoT-driven industries.

4. Enhanced International Influence & Geopolitical Strategy

--Strengthening the U.S.-Taiwan strategic alliance.

5. Sustainable & Green Economy Leadership

--Establishing Cijin as a model for green economic development.

6. Capital Mobility & Financial Market Growth

--Attracting significant international investment and financial attention.

This multi-layered, high-impact project represents a transformative vision for Taiwan’s economic and strategic future, positioning Cijin as a global maritime and aviation hub.

The Big Voyage upgraded to the Grand Maritime Project

My uncle, Kuo Kun-Yi, lived in Cijin and was a Taiwanese soldier who died in battle in Papua New Guinea during the Japanese occupation. After my grandfather, Kuo Biao, refused to transport comfort women for the Japanese military, our family was persecuted, and my uncle became a victim of a genocidal action. My grandfather's He-Mei Fleet, with small ships docked in Anping and large ships in Kaohsiung, saw my uncle set sail from Cijin in 1942 for Southeast Asia, never to return. My grandmother, who had bound feet, would often take a small pair of scissors to cut paper, then look up, gazing into the distance, her eyes filled with longing, waiting for her son to return from his expedition. But she never saw him again. In 2006, at the APEC CEO Summit, I brought up the request of bringing my uncle's spirit back to his hometown to the Japanese representatives, but they forgot. Nevertheless, after long investigation, I found that my uncle, Kuo Kun-Yi, actually lived in Cijin. Finally, his spirit was brought back and reunited with my grandmother.

Fig 2: The posthumous photo of Kuo Kun-Yi and his teammates

In the early 20th century, my grandfather had a big voyage plan. He aimed to establish a maritime route from Anping in Tainan southward to Cijin in Kaohsiung and northward to Lukang and Taipei, to address the transportation difficulties during the early years of Japanese rule. This plan also helped local farmers sell their agricultural products worldwide. Today, Taiwan is facing the greatest difficulty of industrial transformation in history, in case of my grandfather’s big voyage plan can be upgraded into the "Cijin Grand Maritime Project", an instrumental solution to address this issue.

Learning from Singapore’s Experience

The “Cijin Grand Maritime Project” can draw inspiration from Singapore’s Marina Bay development, which successfully expanded Singapore’s land area by 360 hectares (3.6 square kilometers). This transformation facilitated the rise of Marina Bay Sands and a global financial hub, proving the feasibility of large-scale, strategic urban development.

Key Synergies and Potential Impact:

1. Job Creation & Value Chain Expansion

1) Job Opportunities: The construction of Cijin’s grand maritime infrastructure is expected to generate 150,000 new jobs, attracting both local and international talent.

2) Expanding the Derivative Value Chain: Cijin’s development will become an economic catalyst for Taiwan, transitioning the island economy into the “Center of the Maritime Century”. This transformation will foster growth in services, commerce, and industry, driving regional prosperity and integrating Taiwan into a multilateral trade system.

2. Enhancing Global Competitiveness & Trade Hub Status

1) Boosting Global Competitiveness: By integrating resources from the U.S. MAGA initiative and sovereign wealth funds, the project will attract top-tier startups and enterprises, fostering industrial diversification and strengthening U.S.-Taiwan economic cooperation. This, in turn, will establish Taiwan as a global trade powerhouse.

2) Trade Hub Status: Cijin’s strategic location makes it ideal for expanding maritime infrastructure, positioning it as a major global shipping and logistics hub. Enhanced facilities will attract multinational corporations, global trade partners, and leading financial institutions, unlocking trillion-dollar business opportunities.

3. Technological Innovation & Industrial Upgrades

1) Technological Innovation: The introduction of high-tech enterprises and R&D centers will establish a smart city ecosystem, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as satellite systems, big data, AI, and IoT to drive innovation.

2) Industrial Transformation & Upgrades: Developing innovative industries and new business models, such as advanced propulsion systems for maritime transport, will improve shipping technology, reduce carbon emissions, and advance smart transportation and marine technology.

4. Strengthening International Standing & Political-Economic Influence

1) Enhancing Global Presence: By integrating IP resources and U.S. sovereign funds, the project will reinforce U.S.-Taiwan strategic ties through education, cultural exchange, and business collaboration, elevating Taiwan’s global influence.

2) Geopolitical & Economic Impact: This initiative will enhance Taiwan’s political and economic position on the international stage, giving Taiwan greater influence in global affairs.

5. Green Economy & Sustainable Development

1) Green Economy Leadership: With green technology, sustainable growth, and industrial transformation as global trends, Taiwan can position itself as a benchmark for green economic development. This initiative will drive efficient energy use, environmental conservation, and ecosystem protection, reinforcing Taiwan’s role in global sustainability efforts.

2) Sustainable Development: The project aligns with the United Nations COP Climate Conference’s sustainability goals, aiming to enhance quality of life. Inspired by Singapore’s Marina Barrage, which integrates water supply, flood control, and recreation, the project will incorporate green infrastructure and renewable energy, mitigating climate change impacts while reducing environmental pollution.

6. Capital Mobility & Financial Market Growth

1) Capital Mobility: The USD 100 billion investment will attract global capital, including infrastructure funds, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity, potentially leading to multiplied investment inflows.

2) Financial Market Growth: This mega-project will revitalize Taiwan’s financial markets, attracting venture capital, international financial institutions, and multinational corporations. The development of stocks, bonds, and derivatives markets will position Cijin as a regional financial hub.

Strategic Alignment with U.S. Policies & APEC Initiatives

Our initiative of "Investing in America" (IIA) , presented at APEC, has become a core element of the MAGA economic strategy. Under the U.S.-Taiwan division of labor, the U.S. will focus on financial, technology, legal, and logistics hubs, while Taiwan will serve as the manufacturing, supply chain, and ICT control center—with the Cijin Grand Maritime Project playing a pivotal role.

Fig 3: Seven major centers in the

United States

and

Taiwan

One of the best real-world applications of this strategy is the "Global Channel-TES" initiative, which was also proposed officially at APEC. This will create additional business opportunities and economic synergies.

Fig 4: APEC Best Practice “Global Channel-TES”

Conclusion

Taiwan must diversify its industries, and the “Cijin Grand Maritime Project” marks the beginning of this transformation. Grassroots private-sector initiatives, aligned with U.S. economic policies, will create mutually beneficial, long-term economic opportunities—ensuring sustainable and stable growth for Taiwan.

Peter Lichang Kuo, the author created Taiwan's Precision Industry in his early years. Peter was a representative of the APEC CEO Summit and an expert in the third sector. He advocated "anti-corruption (AC)/cashless/e-commerce (E-Com)/ICT/IPR/IIA-TES / Micro-Business (MB)…and etc." to win the international bills and regulations.