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Taiwan details South China Sea policy

ROC Central News Agency

2016/03/22 22:30:38

Taipei, March 22 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a position paper to lay out the Republic of China's policy on the South China Sea Tuesday, one day before representatives of foreign media will have an opportunity to visit a Taiwan-controlled island in the disputed region.

From the perspectives of history, geography and international law, the paper reiterates ROC sovereignty over the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, the Shisha (Paracel) Islands, the Chungsha (Macclesfield Bank) Islands, and the Tungsha (Pratas) Islands in the South China Sea, and their surrounding waters.

"The ROC enjoys all rights over them in accordance with international law. This is indisputable," the position paper says. "Any claim to sovereignty over, or occupation of, these areas by other countries is illegal, irrespective of the reasons put forward or methods used, and the ROC government recognizes no such claim or occupation."

The paper also noted a Jan. 28 trip made by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island, the largest in the Spratlys, during which he put forward a roadmap for his South China Sea peace initiative, which calls for all parties to shelve disputes and seek joint development of resources in the region.

During his tour of Taiping Island, Ma pointed out that Taiping is "clearly an island, not a rock," the paper says.

"Taiping has its own sources of natural, abundant, potable freshwater, as well as naturally formed and fertile soil, while fruits, vegetables, chickens and goats are raised there, providing ample evidence that it is fit for human habitation and can support an economic life of its own, meeting all the qualifications of an island," it adds.

In light of international disputes regarding the South China Sea, the paper repeats the ROC's principles of safeguarding sovereignty, shelving disputes, pursuing peace and reciprocity, and promoting joint development, it said.

In accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law, it calls for consultations with other countries, participation in related dialogue and cooperative mechanisms, and peaceful resolution of disputes, to jointly ensure regional peace.

Several countries, including Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, claim all or parts of the islets.

On Wednesday, media representatives of 10 foreign media outlets, including CNN, Al-Jazeera TV, the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Kyodo news agency, will have a chance to see for themselves what Taiping Island is like, on a trip organized by the Foreign Ministry.

The full text of the position paper can be accessed through the link: http://goo.gl/q3bZCi.

(By Elaine Hou)
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