Jointly drafted by the caucuses of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and opposition Kuomintang, People First Party and New Power Party, the statement is based on facts and legal principles, and represents the authorization of the people and the Republic of China (Taiwan) territorial sovereignty, Legislative Yuan President Su Chia-chuan read the statement on behalf of the Legislative Yuan.
“The PCA award’s designation of the country as ‘Taiwan Authority of China’ is demeaning to the status of the ROC as a sovereign state and totally unacceptable to the people,” the statement read. “In addition, its classification of Taiping Island as a rock is a gross violation of facts, severely jeopardizes ROC sovereignty and threatens regional peace in the South China Sea.”
The first point of the statement points out that whether from the perspective of history, geography or international law, the South China Sea islands, as well as their surrounding waters, are inherent parts of ROC territory. The ROC does not accept any claim by any other country on these islands and waters for any reason through any means, or any unilateral decision by any international court of tribunal.
Second, the ROC has continued to effectively occupy and administer Taiping Island for over half a century, with former ROC Presidents Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou visiting the island in 2008 and 2016, respectively, to reaffirm the country’s sovereignty over the island. Not any other country, nor decision by any international court of arbitration, can challenge or change this indisputable fact.
Third, the ROC will continue defending its sovereignty and legal rights in this regard. On the global front, the government will provide documents and other evidence supporting the ROC’s sovereignty and maritime rights, as well as legal administration of the South China Sea islands to the international community and related organizations.
The government will continue demonstrating the country’s unwavering stance on the issue to all unfounded claimants.
On the domestic front, the statement continued, the “government remains committed to the ongoing development and administration of Taiping Island across the areas of academic research, environmental protection, living infrastructure, military security, resources exploration and tourism, as well as transportation and communications.
The statement also called on all interested parties to uphold the spirit of peace and sharing, renounce any attempt to resolve the issue by force and seek sustainable and peaceful development of the region through multilateral negotiations.
Comprising numerous decisions, the July 12 PCA award classified Taiping Island as a rock and not an island. This would call into question the ROC’s rightful claim to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone on Taiping Island.
The award of July 12 has evoked strong reactions in Taiwan. Representatives of Taiwan’s fishery industries have since voiced grave concerns over the possible fallout that could severely damage their security and livelihood when operating in the region. The Office of the President and several ministries immediately issued statements reaffirming that the ROC is entitled to all rights over the South China Sea islands and their surrounding waters in accordance with international law and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
On July 13, President Tsai Ing-wen ordered ROC navy Kangding-class frigate Dihua to depart 24 hours early on a regular patrol of the South China Sea. Three days later, the Coast Guard Administration dispatched a 1,000-ton cutter to the region on a mission of undetermined duration.
Taiping Island, with an area of 0.51 square kilometers, is the largest naturally formed island in the Nansha (Spratly) Islands. It can sustain human habitation and an economic life of its own, and meets the criteria of an island as defined in Article 121 of UNCLOS. Therefore, the ROC enjoys full rights associated with territorial waters, a contiguous zone, an exclusive economic zone and a continental shelf in accordance with UNCLOS. (SFC-E)
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