This is CBSI on the world.

I'm John Baxter with my colleague and friend Gordon Chang at Gordon G. Chang.

And we're headed to Tokyo, Japan, our colleague Lance Gatling, a principal in Hexhill Research,

recently attending via international Zoom, the 2025 Ocean Affairs Council, Taiwan International Ocean

Forum. It's all new to me, Lance tells me that it's this fifth year. And what struck my

fancy immediately was, yes, the major issue on Taiwan is its economy, TSM,

the health of the people, but right next to it is security, given the threats by the three-time

elected general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, who makes it necessary to always worry about China's attack on Taiwan at

some point. However, this forum looks to emphasize another aspect that I had overlooked over

years, having even traveled to Taiwan. It's an island nation, and therefore it's part of the economy

of the Pacific Ocean and part of the understanding of the world from an oceanographer's

point of view. Lance, a very good day to you. What is your summary of the ocean form, how it

presents itself, what it was your presentation in it, and what is your measure of the ocean forum, how it presents itself, what it was your presentation in

and what is your measure of the gathering in Taipei? Good day, to you, Lance. Hello, John.

Hello, Gordon. I was honored to be asked to participate as a specialist on one of the panels of the Ocean Forum.

And I was actually engaged with another group in Taiwan that was looking at national defense

issues, and they were folded into the Ocean Forum for its fifth year.

And the mission, as you ask, has been accomplished. Wanted to make people like you and

others aware of Taiwan's situation as an island nation. There were two major factors being

addressed. One is maritime domain awareness and national security issues, maritime aspects of those.

And then also the blue economy, how Taiwan is, economy is buoyed up, as it were, by fisheries and shipping and its proximity to the international shipping lanes through the South China Sea.

The forum is very upbeat.

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