ROC (Taiwan) President’s 'South China Sea Peace Initiative' consistent with spirit of Mogherini’s speech at Shangri-La Dialogue

As the tension in the South China Sea has been escalating recently, in her 30 May speech at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2015, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini highlighted the importance of international law, and stressed that the EU is not getting into the legitimacy of specific claims, but that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully, without the use or threat of force.

These principles coincide with the South China Sea Peace Initiative, proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan) during a speech at the 2015 Asia-Pacific Research Forum, which was sponsored by the International Law Association and the American Society of International Law (ILA-ASIL) on 26 May. It calls on all parties concerned to:

1. Exercise restraint, safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and refrain from taking any unilateral action that might escalate tensions;

2. respect the principles and spirit of relevant international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, peacefully deal with and settle disputes through dialogue and consultations, and jointly uphold the freedom and safety of navigation and overflight through the South China Sea;

3. ensure that all parties concerned are included in mechanisms or measures that enhance peace and prosperity in the South China Sea, e.g. a maritime co-operation mechanism or code of conduct;

4. shelve sovereignty disputes and establish a regional cooperation mechanism for the zonal development of resources in the South China Sea under integrated planning, and;

5. set up coordination and cooperation mechanisms for such non-traditional security issues as environmental protection, scientific research, maritime crime fighting, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

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ROC-Japan fishery agreement: Result of East China Sea Peace Initiative

President Ma proposed the “East China Sea Peace Initiative” in August 2012 to deal with the sovereignty disputes concerning the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea. This initiative not only helped alleviate friction in the region but also facilitated a fisheries agreement signed by the ROC and Japan in April 2013, in accordance with the concept that, sovereignty cannot be divided; resources can be shared. This agreement, ending a 40-year-old fisheries dispute between the ROC and Japan, has been recognized by the international community.

South and East China Sea as possible 'Sea of Peace and Cooperation'

Similarly, with regard to recent disputes in the South China Sea, the ROC government, upholding the basic principles of “safeguarding sovereignty, shelving disputes, pursuing peace and reciprocity, and promoting joint development,” is willing to exploit resources in the South China Sea in cooperation with other parties concerned, thereby making the South China Sea a Sea of Peace and Co-operation like the East China Sea.

US appreciates South China Sea Peace Initiative

The United States gave its support on 26 May: “We, of course, appreciate Taiwan's call on claimants to exercise restraint, to refrain from unilateral actions that could escalate tensions, and to respect international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention," said US State Department acting Deputy Spokesman Jeff Rathke.

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