Is the world’s most beautiful bay turning into a construction site? Tourism Bureau: Destruction of Penghu’s scenery will never be allowed

▲ The former view of Liyu Beach (Photo / Reposted from the Facebook page of “Kyushu Happy Tour – Penghu National Scenic Area”)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The sandy beaches of Penghu, which recently received membership certification from the “Organization for the World’s Most Beautiful Bays,” have recently seen reports that a consortium is preparing to build the “Penghu Bay Marine Resort & Spa Hotel” on Liyu Beach, erecting a 7,200-square-meter fence on the beach for grouting work—estimated to occupy 20% of Liyu Beach’s area. This has drawn serious concern from local residents and environmental groups, and the development project has now been ordered to halt construction.

The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications issued a statement today (11th), stating that Liyu Beach’s resources are uniquely exceptional, and there is no reason for any relevant unit to allow destructive behavior to occur. Instead, all parties should stand united in the interest of sustainable tourism development to jointly protect the local scenic landscape. Currently, the Tourism Bureau has only granted the resort a “pre-permit” for “tourist hotel establishment approval,” which still requires feasibility assessments by various experts and the government. From the Tourism Bureau’s standpoint, it absolutely does not agree to, nor will it allow, any development or construction in scenic areas that would damage the beach or the environment.

According to the Tourism Bureau’s statement, the background of this case involves Penghu Bay Co., Ltd. applying to establish a general tourist hotel under the name“Penghu Bay Marine Resort & Spa Hotel”. After obtaining the establishment permit in 1993 (92 in the Taiwanese calendar), the company was required to follow the stipulated application procedures, but the project was not executed. It then applied for an extension of the establishment permit in 1999 (98 in the Taiwanese calendar) and obtained a building permit issued by the county government in 2013 (102 in the Taiwanese calendar). Further review of the case revealed that the land is located within the recreational zone of non-urban land, which can be developed for hotel use. It is understood that the lease for this land was approved during the provincial government era. Although the land is designated for recreational use, it is still subject to strict controls—not all of the area can be used for construction—and certain portions must be preserved for environmental protection, green space, and beach recreation.

▲ Liyu Beach, fenced off by developers for grouting, faces the irreversible loss of its beauty. (Photo / Provided by Eastern TV News)

Regarding the issuance of the tourist hotel establishment permit, the Tourism Bureau stated thatthe “tourist hotel establishment permit” is a “pre-permit” and “feasibility assessment” mechanism, which first evaluates the economic benefits of a tourist hotel in the area’s tourism development as well as issues such as land ownership and use. The permit issuance process also includes meetings where experts, scholars, county governments, and various related agencies such as those in construction and land use are invited to confirm that all legal aspects involved are indeed viable before the permit is granted.

During the resolution process, applicants are also instructed that future development involving construction management, environmental impact assessments, and other matters must comply with the laws and regulations of the respective authorities, and construction can only commence after substantive reviews by the relevant supervisory authorities confirm everything is in order.

This establishment permit is not a basis for obtaining a building permit—the respective authorities must still conduct substantive reviews in accordance with their jurisdictional regulations, such as environmental impact assessments, soil and water conservation plans, land use, and building line designations.

The Tourism Bureau solemnly reiterates that a hotel establishment permit does not equate to unrestricted development. The establishment permit only confirms the feasibility of development; further substantive reviews by “authoritative agencies” such as environmental impact, soil and water conservation, land use, and construction management must be conducted in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. It is not the case that once the Tourism Bureau agrees to the establishment, all responsible units will simply issue permits accordingly. Therefore, all levels of government must still enforce checks on environmental protection, construction, and more—such as building line setbacks, height restrictions, construction limitations, and sewage discharge—all of which must be reviewed by the competent authorities before permits are issued. The Tourism Bureau will never agree to, nor allow, any development or construction in scenic areas that would damage the beach or the environment.

In the future, the Tourism Bureau will continue to strengthen communication when inviting relevant agencies to participate in the deliberation of establishment permits, and will request that these agencies ensure feasibility according to their governing laws before granting any permits.