The World Can't Afford a War in the South China Sea
~ The Peace Initiative Is a Must~
Dear Editor,
I am writing to bring to your attention the situation that over the past few years, the parties concerned have continuously been at odds over disputes in the South China Sea, increasing tensions in the region and eliciting widespread concern in the international community.
Since President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan) assumed office in 2008, Taiwan has actively strived to improve relations with mainland China. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have been greatly reduced, and cross-strait relations continue to develop peacefully. Meanwhile, President Ma proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative in August 2012 to deal with disputes in the East China Sea as well as the sovereignty issue concerning the Diaoyutai Islands. This initiative not only helped alleviate friction in the region but also facilitated a fisheries agreement signed by Taiwan and Japan in April 2013 in accordance with the concept that, even though sovereignty cannot be divided, resources can be shared. This agreement, ending a 40-year-old fisheries dispute between Taiwan and Japan, has been widely recognized by the international community.
As this year (2015) marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the countries surrounding the South China Sea should heed the lessons of history and commit themselves to advancing regional peace and prosperity. Therefore, in view of the rising tensions in the South China Sea, the Republic of China (Taiwan), based on its successful peace-making experiences in the East China Sea, hereby solemnly proposes the South China Sea Peace Initiative, calling 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 cooperation 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.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is willing to work with the other parties concerned to implement the concepts and spirit of the South China Sea Peace Initiative in order to resolve disputes and jointly develop resources, thereby making the South China Sea a “Sea of Peace and Cooperation” similar to the East China Sea.
Benjamin Ho
Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize
