East Asian Maritime Peace Forum opens in Taipei

2015/08/06

The East Asian Maritime Peace Forum got underway Aug. 5 in Taipei City, bringing together academics, experts, foreign dignitaries and senior officials from Taiwan and 10 other countries.

Organized by Taipei City-based Prospect Foundation under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the one-day forum features panel discussions on the achievements and implications of the East China Sea Peace Initiative, maritime security in East Asia, as well as the significance and prospects of the South China Sea Peace Initiative.

Equally important is a roundtable discussion on promoting peace and cooperation in East Asia 70 years after the end of World War II, and an address on Asia and geopolitics by Robert Kaplan, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

During the event’s opening ceremony, President Ma Ying-jeou said the East China Sea Peace Initiative has proven a pragmatic and feasible approach to promoting resources sharing and resolving disputes.

“As we celebrate the victory of the ROC in the Second Sino-Japanese War [1937-1945], it is important all parties involved reflect upon this chapter of history and cherish the hard-earned peace and prosperity in East Asia,” he said. “The ROC will continue advocating the principles set out in the initiative, ensuring it becomes a model for sustainable stability in other regions as well.”

Proposed in 2012 by Ma, the five-point initiative urges all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; not abandon dialogue; observe international law; resolve disputes through peaceful means; and form a mechanism for exploring and developing resources on a cooperative basis.

According to the president, since he took office in May 2008, the Taiwan Strait has transformed from a potential flashpoint into a boulevard of peace, with Taipei and Beijing concluding 21 agreements contributing to the most stable and peaceful state of cross-strait relations in 66 years.

“Such dividends are highly commended by the global community,” Ma said, citing remarks in May by Susan Thornton, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, that stable cross-strait ties have brought enormous benefits to Taiwan, mainland China, the U.S. and entire region.

Further evidence of this is Taiwan concluding a landmark fisheries agreement with Japan in 2013 and holding three fisheries talks with the Philippines commencing the same year.

The president also took the opportunity to reaffirm that the Diaoyutai Islands are an inherent part of ROC territory from the perspectives of geology, geography, history and international law.

Drawing on the success of the initiative, Ma proposed the South China Sea Peace Initiative in May as a strategy for dispute settlement, especially in allowing free navigation and overflight in the region.

“It is hoped that all relevant parties should be included in any measures contributing to peace and prosperity in South China Sea,” Ma said, urging the shelving of sovereignty disputes and establishment of a mechanism on joint resources development.

The president also called for enhanced collaboration in other areas of mutual interest such as crime fighting, disaster relief, environmental protection, humanitarian aid and scientific research.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233359&ctNode=413)