Tsai holds 1st NSC meeting, unveils South China Sea approach

2016/07/21

President Tsai Ing-wen convened her first National Security Council meeting July 19 at which she unveiled the government’s five actions and four principles relating to the recent award rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the South China Sea arbitration initiated by the Philippines.

During the NSC meeting, Tsai said the July 12 award’s inappropriate designation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and wrongful classification of Taiping Island as a rock severely jeopardize the rights of the nation. The award is totally unacceptable to the people and has no legally binding force on the ROC, the president added. The ROC will therefore take actions based on four principles.

The first action is that the government will step up patrol missions to safeguard the rights and safety of Taiwan fishermen operating in the South China Sea. Second, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is instructed to enhance multilateral dialogue with other relevant parties on collaboration and consensus.

Third, the Ministry of Science and Technology and related agencies are directed to invite international scholars to Taiping Island in the Nansha (Spratly) Islands to conduct scientific research on climate change, earthquakes, geology and meteorology. Fourth, the MOFA will collaborate with international organizations to develop Taiping Island into a base for providing humanitarian aid and supplies.

Fifth, the government will encourage more local talents to study maritime law so as to strengthen the nation’s preparedness in response to international legal issues.

According to Tsai, the ROC maintains all rights over the South China Sea islands and their surrounding waters in accordance with international law and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. While the government will not assert excessive claims, it will also not give up any rights, she said.

As overlapping claims in the South China Sea involve international law and politics, Tsai proposed four principles for addressing the matter. First, all disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law and UNCLOS. Second, Taiwan must be included in any multilateral dispute settlement mechanisms.

Third, other relevant parties are obligated to ensure freedom of aviation and navigation in the South China Sea. And fourth, the ROC calls for other relevant parties to set aside differences and resolve disputes through joint development, and remains committed to promoting regional stability and protecting maritime resources.

The meeting was also attended by Vice President Chen Chien-jen, Premier Lin Chuan, MOFA Minister David Tawei Lee, NSC Secretary-General Joseph Wu and other senior Cabinet officials.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=246353&ctNode=2194&mp=9)