The issue of sovereignty over the South China Sea came to the fore after the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was concluded in 1982. Ever since, it has been a point of concern among surrounding nations and the international community as a whole. The sea’s rich natural resources have led to constant disputes over sovereignty among countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and mainland China.
In his speech at the opening in Taipei of the 2015 ILA–ASIL Asia–Pacific Research Forum, President Ma outlined the ROC’s South China Sea Peace Initiative, which upholds the principles of peace and reciprocity to resolve tensions. He called for all nations to respect international law while exercising tolerance, inclusion and cooperation.
“Reducing hostility and shelving sovereignty disputes is the best way to promote peace and prosperity,” said Ma, noting that cross-strait issues, Taiwan–Philippine disagreements over fishing rights, and conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea can all be resolved through sufficient communication and reasonable discussion. The East China Sea Peace Initiative and the Taiwan–Japan Fisheries Agreement provide ideal models.
Whether from the perspective of history, geography or international law, the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, the Xisha (Paracel) Islands, the Zhongsha Islands (Macclesfield Bank), and the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands, as well as their surrounding waters, are indisputably an inherent part of ROC territory and waters. Yet, while maintaining its claim of sovereignty under international law, the ROC, in accordance with the principle of shelving disputes and pursuing peace and reciprocity, is actively seeking to engage in discussions and cooperation about how to jointly develop the sea’s resources with other nations.
“As this year, 2015, marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the countries surrounding the South China Sea should heed the lessons of history and commit themselves to advancing regional peace and prosperity.” President Ma urged all nations to exercise self-restraint and to maintain regional stability, by refraining from unilateral actions that would heighten tensions.
In a spirit of respect for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, he urged nations to settle disputes through dialogue and consultation, and jointly uphold the freedom and safety of navigation and aviation through the South China Sea.
All sides, he argued, should shelve disputes over sovereignty and establish regional cooperation mechanisms for the zonal development of resources in the South China Sea under integrated planning, while setting up mechanisms for coordination on issues such as environmental protection, scientific research, maritime crime fighting, humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Finally, President Ma stressed that “whereas sovereignty cannot be divided, resources can be shared.” He hopes that the South China Sea Peace Initiative can avert major conflicts by providing farsighted and practical mechanisms for making the South China Sea “a sea of peace and cooperation.”
After the initiative was announced, Jeff Rathke, acting deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, praised the initiative at a May 26 press conference for its calling on nations “to refrain from unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and to respect international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.” His words highlight the positive attention that the initiative is gaining internationally.
