President Ma Ying-jeou has suggested that the East China Sea Peace Initiative he proposed three years ago be used to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Ma proposed the East China Sea Peace Initiative in 2012 amid escalating tensions in the waters surrounding the disputed Diaoyutai Islands. The initiative calls on all of the parties involved to set aside their differences and share the economic resources in the region.
President Ma said Monday that this model had successfully ended 40 years of disputes in the region, allowing Taiwan and Japan to ink a fishery agreement, and helping fishermen in the area to significantly improve their catch. Ma said the model can also be used to solve territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
“We want to extend the spirit of the initiative to the South China Sea," said Ma. "By upholding the principles of safeguarding sovereignty and sharing resources, we can ease the tensions in the area and achieve the goal of joint development.”