Taiwan Opposition Accuses Government of Neglecting South China Sea Claims
POLICY WIRE — Taipei, Taiwan — Taiwan’s opposition parties have accused the government of failing to defend the island’s long-standing claims in the South China Sea, following its muted...
POLICY WIRE — Taipei, Taiwan — Taiwan’s opposition parties have accused the government of failing to defend the island’s long-standing claims in the South China Sea, following its muted response to the Philippines’ attempts to delimit a disputed shoal.
Kuomintang (KMT) culture and communications committee director Chen I-hsin stated on Sunday, “The government speaks loudly when confronting mainland China, but falls silent when Japan or the Philippines challenges Taiwan’s claims.” Chen was referring to the Philippines’ move to assert its territorial claims over a shoal in the South China Sea, which Taiwan also claims.
The Philippine government recently deployed additional coast guard vessels to the area, a move that hasn’t elicited a strong response from Taiwan’s administration. This has led to criticism from opposition parties who argue that Taiwan’s sovereignty is being undermined.
Chen further elaborated, “It’s imperative that our government takes a firm stance on all territorial disputes, not just those involving China. Our claims in the South China Sea are historic — and must be defended vigorously.”
The South China Sea is a region of significant geopolitical tension, with multiple countries laying claim to various parts of it. Taiwan’s claims in the area are based on historical maps and documents, though they haven’t been actively pursued in recent years.
The KMT and other opposition parties are calling for a more assertive foreign policy, particularly in regions where Taiwan’s interests are at stake. They argue that the current administration’s approach is inconsistent — and fails to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty.
In response to the criticism, a government spokesperson stated that Taiwan’s foreign policy is guided by a careful assessment of the geopolitical landscape and aims to maintain regional stability. The spokesperson added that Taiwan is engaging in diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute amicably.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
