28 November 2013

Editorial: Why China's Air Defense Identification Zone Is Terrible For Cross-Strait Relations


By Shannon Tiezzi

China’s new ADIZ in the East China Sea jeopardizes the possibility of unification with Taiwan.

Media around the world (including The Diplomat) have extensively covered recent developments regarding China’s new Air Defense Identification Zone. But as usual, Taiwan remains mostly marginalized in the discussions, despite the fact that Taiwan’s government might have the most at stake. For Tokyo and Beijing, the dispute is largely a question of maritime resources and national pride. For Taipei, how the dispute is resolved could also determine the future of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Taiwan’s claim to the disputed islands (which it calls the Diaoyutai) largely parallels that of mainland China. Taiwan’s government considers itself a continuation of the 20th century Republic of China, with the same territorial claims that have now been adopted by the People’s Republic of China — including the infamous “nine-dashed line” in the South China Sea. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry outlines the dispute along the same lines as China does, but highlights the fact that the islands were a part of the Taiwan prefecture during the Qing dynasty. Shortly after Japan nationalized several of the disputed islands in September 2012, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Yung-lo Lin wrote an article for Foreign Policy outlining Taiwan’s claims. Lin argued that “the Diaoyutai Islands actually form an inherent part of the territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan) based on the islands’ geographical location, geological structure, relevant historical evidence, and international law.”
The islands, when referenced in Chinese historical documents, are generally considered to have been part of the administrative zone of Taiwan. In other words, if mainland China does gain control of the islands, it would effectively be administering part of Taiwan. Obviously, this give the dispute a deep symbolic meaning for Taiwan’s government. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat