Deputy Minister of the Interior, Tang-An Wu, attended the special screening of the documentary “Enduring space and time: the vitality of South Penghu Marine National Park” at SPOT-Huashan Cinema Taipei today (30th). Wu highlighted that the breathtaking basalt landscapes of the South Penghu Marine National Park captivate visitors from home and abroad, earning the title of a "natural geological classroom." Directed by Shou-I Yang, the film took two years to produce, capturing rare spectacles like the water mist eruption of the blue hole, as it’s locally known as "tsàu-lang" in taiwanese, at Xijiyu and the precious scenes of terns raising their chicks. The documentary also uses animation to depict the ancestors’ courageous journeys across the Black Ditch waters. The film was awarded the Gold Prize in the Nature & Wildlife category at the 57th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, showcasing Taiwan’s vibrant cultural, ecological, and geological richness on the international stage.
Wu emphasized that national parks, wetlands, and coastlines serve as Taiwan's critical natural carbon sinks. In alignment with the "2050 Net-zero Emissions" policy, the Ministry of the Interior continues to promote conservation efforts and foster ESG corporate partnerships to protect biodiversity. The Marine National Park Headquarters has designated three coral restoration zones off the western coast of Dongyupingyu, functioning as coral preservation and rehabilitation bases. Ongoing coral monitoring and restoration trials have shown significant growth in the axial corals. Since 2023, the Dongyuping community has been actively involved in coral restoration and monitoring workshops, reinforcing marine conservation efforts and encouraging broader public engagement.
The Ministry of the Interior stated that to raise public awareness about national park habitat conservation, the Marine National Park Headquarters collaborates with educational institutions to introduce ocean-themed courses. Through "on-campus services," materials such as basalt, coral stones, clay, and drawing tools are brought into classrooms, allowing students to recreate basalt habitats and engage in unique, sensory-rich learning experiences.
Additionally, in August (10th in Kaohsiung, 17th in Tainan, and 24th in Taichung), three special screenings were held, attracting many NGO groups and families. These screenings brought textbook content to life, enhancing children's awareness and interest in environmental protection while fostering a collective sense of responsibility for safeguarding Taiwan’s environment.
Today's event was graced by the presence of Director Shou-I Yang, NDC Counselor Deng-Yuan Lu, National Palace Museum Commissioner Zhong-Yu Chen, National Parks Society Supervisor Wen-Long Hsu, ROC Wild Bird Society Chairman Rui-Lin Chang, Wilderness Conservation Association Chairman Qi-Ting Lee, Commitment Public Welfare Association CEO Xi-Rong Huang, Taiwan Ecotourism Association Secretary Chang-Yu Ding, and Wildfun Ecology Co. Ltd. General Manager Peng-Zhi Lai. Together, they celebrated the film’s success and reinforced the importance of Taiwan’s environmental conservation initiatives.
