By Prashanth Parameswaran
The government stands firm on its position.
Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday that his government would “staunchly defend” its South China Sea claims just as the Philippines’ case against China’s South China Sea claims kicks off before a United Nations arbitral tribunal at The Hague.
Taiwan, one of six claimants in the South China Sea, shares China’s claim to virtually the entire South China Sea that dates back before the split between the Communists and Nationalists in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War. It has occupied Itu Aba (which it calls Taiping Island), the largest feature in the South China Sea, since 1956.
“The ROC government will staunchly defend its sovereignty over Taiping and every right held by the country under international law,” Ma said in speech at an international conference in Taipei commemorating the 70th anniversary of Chinese nationalist forces’ victory in the war against Japan.
Noting Taiwan’s had built up infrastructure on Itu Aba – including an airstrip, a hospital and communications and solar energy systems – he said that it would continue to develop the island for peaceful purposes. As I have noted previously, Ma’s government has been paying increasing attention to building up its capabilities and defending its sovereignty there (See: “Confirmed: Taiwan to Start New South China Sea Patrols” and “Vietnam a Growing Threat to Taiwan’s South China Sea Claims: Report”).
Read the full story at The Diplomat