Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto (Toronto TECO), in association with the York Center for Asian Research (YCAR), on Feb. 4 presented a seminar entitled “Peace, Conflict and Security in the South China Sea: A Taiwanese Perspective” at  York University. Dr. Alexander Chieh-cheng Huang, Professor of the Institute of Strategic Studies at Tamkang University, was invited to give a presentation on Taiwan’s stance on South China Sea issue.

The event was hosted by YCAR Director, Dr. Philip Kelly. Director General of Toronto TECO, Catherine Y. M. Hsu, was invited to give welcoming remarks. Madam DG Hsu elaborated Republic of China (ROC) President Ma’s South China Sea Peace Initiative and explored the implications of President Ma’s recent visit to Taiping Island (also known as Itu Abu) on Jan. 28. During the visit, a “roadmap” for the Peace Initiative was unveiled by the President himself. Madam DG Hsu said that President Ma also mapped out three phases of progress for the roadmap, and stressed that Taiping is a “naturally-formed island,” not a “rock,” in accordance with international law. In addition, President Ma declared Taiwan’s commitment to developing Taiping Island into an ecologically friendly, low-carbon island. She expressed her hope that the international community could include Taiwan into any consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue.

Professor Hwang first laid out in his presentation regulations of international law on which Taiwan’s claims on the South China Sea were based, and compared Taipei’s stance with Beijing’s position. In addition, with lots of historical documentary evidences and photos, Professor Hwang displayed how ROC government exercised its sovereignty over Taiping Island for more than sixty years, and highlighted all the conditions in support of the claim that Taiping is an island capable of sustaining human habitation and economic life of its own. His exploration denied the Philippines’ claim in an arbitration case that there is no drinkable water or topsoil on Taiping Island. Professor Hwang also pointed out that among the claimants of the islands in the South China Sea, only Taiwan came out with a concrete and practical option to solve the dispute, underlining Taiwan’s determination in promoting stability and development in the region by peaceful means.

The seminar lasted for more than 2 hours. In attendance were several York University scholars, Venilla Rajaguru, Chair of working group “Ocean Frontiers,” interested researchers and staff members of Toronto TECO. The panel discussion was informative and academically enlightening.

Professor Huang gives his presentation during the seminar on the South China Sea issue.

Staff members of Toronto TECO join Professor Huang and several York University scholars for a group photo during the seminar.