MOFA reaffirms ROC (Taiwan) sovereignty over South China Sea islands

2020/07/16

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed July 14 ROC (Taiwan) sovereignty over the South China Sea islands, and said the country should be included in multilateral mechanisms for resolving disputes.
 
 The islands and their relevant waters in the South China Sea are part of ROC (Taiwan) territory and the country’s rights are unquestionable under international law and the law of the sea, the MOFA said. As a member of the international community, Taiwan is willing through equitable negotiations to work with all relevant parties in promoting peace and stability in the South China Sea, and to jointly develop and protect resources in the region, it added.
 
 The MOFA also reiterated four principles relating to the South China Sea islands first unveiled July 19, 2016, by President Tsai Ing-wen.
 
 The four principles comprise resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and the law of the sea; including Taiwan in any multilateral dispute settlement mechanism; ensuring freedom of aviation and navigation in the region; and setting aside differences and resolving disputes through joint development.
 
 The government’s position on territory in the South China Sea and commitment to a peaceful resolution remain unwavering, the MOFA said, adding that the country firmly opposes any attempt by a claimant state to resolve disputes by means of intimidation, coercion or force.
 
 The MOFA also welcomes declarations by relevant states agreeing that claims in the region must conform with international law and norms, including the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the ministry said, adding that any claims inconsistent with those norms should not be accepted.
 
 The release follows a statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a day earlier, which declared that the U.S. stands with the international community in defense of freedom of the seas and respect for sovereignty and rejects any push to impose “might makes right” in the South China Sea or wider region.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)