Returning the "World's Most Beautiful Bay" to residents: The fences at Qimei Beach in Penghu have been removed

▲Qimei Beach was recently fenced off by a consortium preparing to build a resort hotel, sparking public backlash. (Photo / fromPenghu County Councilor Chen ShuangquanFacebook)

Reporter Chen Ziying / Comprehensive report

Penghu’s beauty is renowned both domestically and internationally. It was recently awarded membership certification by the "Most Beautiful Bays in the World" organization, yetreports emerged that a consortium planned to build a resort hotel on Qimei Beach, erecting a 7,200-square-meter fence, which caused an uproar.The Penghu County Government recently ordered a halt to construction and demanded the removal of the fence. Earlier today (the 12th), the work was completed, restoring the beautiful bay to its pristine state.

 
▲After the county government ordered a halt to construction, demolition work commenced today. (Photo / from Penghu County Councilor Chen Shuangquan’s Facebook)

The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications issued a statement on the 11th, saying that Qimei Beach’s resources are uniquely exceptional and that destructive actions must not be allowed. It also emphasized the need to uphold sustainable tourism development and jointly protect the local scenic resources. It was also stated that the resort only received a "preliminary permit" for a "tourist hotel establishment permit," and that further feasibility assessments by various experts and the government are still required.

The removal of the fence was welcomed by local residents. Penghu County Councilor Chen Shuangquan also posted on Facebook about participating in the fence removal process today and shared on-site photos. However, about one-fifth of the fenced area had already been concreted, and environmentalists believe this has already caused damage to the beach.


▲Residents hope that the beaches within the world’s most beautiful bay can retain their natural and pristine appearance. The photo shows the former look of Qimei Beach. (Photo / from the“Pleasant Island Joyful Tours – Penghu National Scenic Area” Facebook page)