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| Image: Flickr User - CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies |
By Vincent Y. Chao
Claims that the DPP lacks clarity on sovereignty issues are disingenuous.
KMT spokesman Eric Huang has published the latest in a long line of articles asking the opposition to clarify its policy agenda. The allusion is that the DPP’s presidential candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, has not presented a clear position on important international and cross-strait issues. In fact, the exact opposite is true here in Taiwan.
On the South China Sea, for example, which Mr. Huang writes about in his most recent article, Dr. Tsai has presented a nuanced and well thought-out message that seeks to reduce tension and confrontation in the area. Both are essential in an area with growing stakes for the U.S., China, and the claimants in the area.
Dr. Tsai’s three point agenda includes a call for all parties to base their principles and positions on UNCLOS, maintain the freedom of navigation and flight in the area, and work to peacefully resolve this issue. Underlying these points is Taiwan’s sovereignty in Taiping Island and the surrounding area. It’s a principle the DPP has made very clear, including in a public statement released on May 27.
Therefore, it is disappointing to see Mr. Huang write that Dr. Tsai “continues to avoid statements that clearly state to voters that if elected, she will protect the ROC’s sovereignty claims.” Not only does it consciously misrepresent the DPP’s agenda in this important area of Taiwan’s foreign affairs, it is also misleading to Taiwanese voters in the final stages of the election campaign.
Read the full story at The Diplomat