A Study of the Container Monitoring Measures of Taiwanese Customs in Light of U

• Main Author: 楊森男
• Other Authors: 廖本瑞
• Language: en_US
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/88290577102930648885

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 英語學系 === 96 === Approximately 90% of the world’s cargo is moved by containers. Nearly 200 million cargo containers are transported between world seaports each year, and almost half of all of the incoming trade to the United States (by value) arrives by maritime shipping, and most of that is by containers, which constitute a vulnerable link between international trading partners. If terrorist groups chose to use containers as a means to conceal Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and then detonate them upon/after entry to U.S. ports, the resulting catastrophe would be immeasurable. The 9/11 attacks caused the American Administration to react by securing all national airports and seaports for several weeks afterwards, creating considerable financial business turmoil. Therefore, the U.S., in order to mend existing security loopholes, proposed the Container Security Initiative (CSI) on August 26, 2002. This initiative was promulgated to protect global trade in the event of attacks related to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) on U.S. soil. Implementation of this initiative served to create contractual agreements between friendly countries, allowing CSI teams to enter host countries and observe the examination of containers bound for the U.S. As a result, the American border would no longer be the first line of defense, but in reality, would become the last line of defense in the U.S. war on terror. Furthermore, the stated aim of this Initiative is to expand U.S. borders by implementing the CSI, resulting in related peripheral initiatives that are needed. This thesis aims to discuss the meaning, purpose, and content of the Container Security Initiative, along with its peripheral initiatives, and its proliferation around the world. In addition, there is a discussion of their practical implementation in Taiwan. This thesis explores the related container monitoring measures currently in place in Taiwan by providing certain proposals, giving helpful information to those who are interested in the field of container security measures, and lending constructive suggestions to Taiwanese government authorities concerned.