President-elect Tsai Ing-wen says she hopes to resolve sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea peacefully. She was speaking during an interview Thursday.
"We insist on our sovereignty in the South China Sea. We will also guarantee freedom of navigation in the area. Disputes should be resolved according to international law and applicable treaties on maritime law," Tsai said. "I hope to resolve the disputes peacefully. As one part of the region, we have the responsibility to maintain stability."
Meanwhile, DPP legislator Huang Wei-cher said Thursday that both the ruling and the opposition parties agree that the leader of the country should proclaim sovereignty over the disputed Taiping Island.
But Huang said he thinks that President Ma Ying-jeou’s visit to the island may encourage neighboring countries with claims to the area to proclaim their sovereignty over the island. He said that Ma’s visit is inappropriate because of its potential to cause tension in the region.